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Embankment Unrepaired

Kutubdia people at disaster risk

13 June 2009, 18:00 PM

NATIONAL

A Correspondent, Cox's Bazar

About 1.5 lakh people of Kutubdia, an island in Cox's Bazar district, have been living amid threat of disaster any moment as the breached embankment around the island remains unrepaired. About 8 kilometres of the 40-kilometre embankment around the island were completely destroyed and the rest partially damaged by cyclones Sidr, Reshmi and Aila. Chairman, and vice chairmen of Kutubdia Upazila Parishad and UP chairmen at a press conference in Cox's Bazar town yesterday demanded repair of the damaged embankment and construction of at least 100 cyclone shelters on emergency basis. They also demanded creation of mangrove forest to protect the embankment, rehabilitation of those who have taken shelter on the embankment after being displaced by the cyclones and repair of abandoned cyclone shelters. Upazila Parishad Chairman ATM Nurul Bashar Chowdhury said the cyclones completely destroyed 8km of the embankment. Salt water from the Bay is entering the island through the breaches, affecting about 40,000 people of 20 villages. Upazila Parishad Vice-Chairman Md Idris Khondker said about 1,000 houses have been washed away by Cyclone Aila. At least 5,000 people, who have lost their houses, are now living on the embankment amid serious risk.