2 lakh marooned for 2 months in Satkhira, Jessore
No step to remove long-drawn water-logging problem in Kobadak basin
Over two laklh people in 227 villages in Kabodak basin areas in Satkhira and Jessore districtsm are marooned for about two months since onset of monsoon as outlets for draining out rain and flood water are clogged because the river has become silted. Local people under the banner of Kobadar Bachao Andolon staged demonstrations and submitted memorandums to Satkhira Deputy Commissioner on several occasions in last two years to address the long-drawn problem, but to no effect. The latest memorandum was submitted last month. The affected villages cover 28 unions in Tala and Kalaroa upazilas in Satkhira and Jhhikargachha, Manirampur and Keshabpur upazilas in Jessore. Most homesteads in the area are inundated, many of them by four to five feet water, as flood water entered the areas by overflowing Kobadak banks at several points. The problem began in 1980s, the victims said. At least 657 families have taken shelter in 11 flood centers including Sarulia High School, Patkelghata High School, Putiakhali Primary School, Kashipur Primary School, Kashipur Madrasha and on Patkelghata bridge. Intestinal and skin diseases have broken out in different areas as due to crisis of food and drinking water. Most of the tubewells are submerged. Paddy and other crops on about 30,000 acres were submerged in days with the onrush of Kobadak water that also inundated at least 20 shrimp enclosures. Fishes worth about Tk 40 lakh were washed away fishery officials and farmers said. The most affected unions are Sarulia, Tala Sadar, Islamkati, Dhandia, Kumira, Khalishkhali, Magura, Jalalpur and Nagarghata in Tala upazila; Deara, Jugikhali, Joynagar and Jalalabad in Kalaroa upazila; Bakra, Hajirabad, Nirjaskhola, Panisara and Shankarpur in Jhhikargachha; Trimohoni, Bidyanadakati, Mongalkote and Sagardari in Keshabpur and Jhhapa, Mashimnagar, Shyamkur, Hariharnagar and Rohita unions in Manirampur upazila. “Kabodak is the lifeline for people in the area and the main outlet for rainwater. The problem has been aggravated by unplanned construction of small embankments and encroachment of the river at numerous points by fish farmers”, Sarulia Union Parishad chairman Matiar Rahman in Tala upazila told this correspondent. Neither the Water Development Board (WDB) nor the administration has taken any step over the years to address the problem, he alleged. “We do not know how we will survive if we can not grow Aman in the current season”, said Dulal Chandra Mondal of Raripara village. Contacted, Satkhira Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Kefayetullah said a meeting on the issue was held on August 15 at his office. It was attended by chairmen of all the 28 Union Parishads, Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), Police Superintenednt, representatives of joint forces and political leaders. The meeting decided to prepare programmes locally to re-excavate the silted river on self-help basis by involving the local people. The DC said Water Development Board (WDB) has the primary responsibility to address the problem. WDB Executive Engineer Mojibur Rahman Hawlader said he submitted proposals this year and last year also for dredging the Kobadak but there has not been any decision yet. Meanwhile the district administration, NGOs and political parties have started separate relief operations for the affected people. Satkhira Deputy Commissioner inaugurated relief operations at Kumira High School and Patkelghata auditorium flood shelters in Tala upazila on Saturday.
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