Flood-hit people still stuck on embankment

16 July 2009, 17:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Bogra

Rendered homeless due to the recent erosion by Jamuna River in Sariakandi upazila of Bogra district, a young man making a modest hut to live on the embankment that sheltered around 1,000 people from two unions of the upazila. Photo: STAR

Over 1000 marooned people who took shelter on the west side embankment of Jamuna River about two weeks ago due to water logging and river erosion in Katubpur and Karnibari unions in Shariakandi upazia are yet to return home. They are suffering from want of cooking facilities, pure drinking water, sanitation and daily necessities. The water logging was caused due to breach of embankment following sudden rise of water level in Jamuna River and inundation of villages of the two unions, Bangladesh Water Development Board sources said. Abdul Mannan, 60, Abdul Hakim, 50, and Shamsu Mondal, 75, are among many people of Katubpur union who have taken shelter on the embankment. Several families have taken shelter on the premises of Kasheyahat Non-Government Registered Primary School with their domestic animals. “We have no kitchen. We are also suffering from lack of toilet facilities and safe water,” said Jharu Mondol who came to the school premises along with 55 other people from Kasheyahat village about 12 days ago. They are now living in school classrooms. “I have been living on the embankment under the open sky for last 12 days,” I have decided to build a room on the embankment spending Tk 500,” said Yeasin, 18. Yeasin along with other victims got Tk 200 and 20kg rice each as government relief. Local lawmaker Abdul Mannan distributed Tk 300 each for the distressed families. “I have been living with my two cows on the embankment for several days due to water logging in my village. Rest of my family members are still marooned,” said Shamsu Mondol, 75, of Karnibari village in the same upazila. District Relief and Rehabilitation Office sources said Tk 39,000 and 3.98 tonne rice have been distributed among 199 affected families of the two unions.