Fresh flood in Satkhira
12 hurt in Gaibandha storm, houses torn down in Sirajganj
Water streaming through the breached embankment at Harishkhali point on river Kholpetua in Assassuni upazila in Satkhira. The photo was taken yesterday.Photo: STAR
Six villages in Pratapnagar union under Assassuni upazila flooded as the reconstructed embankment at Harishkhali point on the river Kholpetua breached again on Monday night. At least 12 people sustained injuries as a six-hour-long storm on Monday night smashed about 200 huts in remote areas of Gaibandha district. Water level in many chars and low-lying areas on Jamuna basin have swelled again following the incessant heavy rain and several villages in five upazilas in Sirajganj district have flooded. On September 28, river water overflowed affecting vast areas in Pratapnagar union under Assassuni upazila following embankment collapse at Harishkhali point due to heavy pressure caused by violent tide, our Satkhira correspondent reports. Army personnel and local administration with the help of people reconstructed the embankment on October 4. Bainyatala, Kurikaunia, Kalyan-pur, Pratapnagar, Moderbaria and, Harishkhali villages have been affected by the fresh flood while water gushing through the breached embankment is inundating new areas. Over 3,000 people in the areas have been marooned and over 175 families have taken shelter in educational institutions or on high lands. Standing Aman crops on 2,000 acres of land have been submerged and at least 256 shrimp enclosures in the area washed away, sources said. The flood-affected people in the union are suffering from scarcity of food and drinking water, Pratapnagar union parishad Chairman Abdul Mannan said. Water Development Board (WDB) is trying to reconstruct the collapsed embankment but failed due to heavy current in the river, Section Officer of Satkhira WDB Shahidullah said. Incessant rainfall with gusty wind caused heavy losses to the inhabitants of slums and remote village areas in seven upazilas of Gaibandha distinct, reports our Gaibandha correspondent. Power supply remained disrupted for 16 hours as trees fell upon the power transmission line in different areas. Normal power supply was in the district was yet to be resumed as of filing of this report at 6:30pm yesterday. A number of fruit bearing trees were uprooted due to the storm that continued for long six hours on Monday night. At least 12 people sustained injuries as some 200 dwelling huts collapsed. Life paralysed as most areas of Gaibandha pourashava went under knee-deep water. Rain and stormy weather affected Eid shopping and day labourers and rickshaw pullers, failing to get work, plunged into trouble. Our Sirajganj correspondent adds: Last two days' heavy rain with stormy wind paralysed normal life in Sirajganj district while hundreds of thatched houses collapsed and trees uprooted in several areas of Raiganj and Tarash upazilas, sources in district administration said. Many villages in Kazipur, Sirajganj Sadar, Belkuchi, Shahzadpur and Chowhali upazilas flooded as water level on Jamuna basin areas rose. Heavy rain and gusty wind sweeping on several areas in nine upazilas also damaged newly planted crops. The District Agriculture Extension Department recorded about 345cm rainfall in last two days. People did not come out of home without an urgent need while movement of vehicles was very low. Attendance in different government and non-government offices was thin and most of the shops and business centres remained shut.
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