Aila-hit people repair embankment thru' voluntary service

1 August 2009, 17:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Satkhira

The Aila affected people in Munshiganj union under Shyamnagar upazila have reconstructed the damaged flood protection embankment on the Chuna River through voluntarily service for over two months. As the cyclonic storm on May 25 caused 8 to 13 feet high tidal surge, flood protection embankment on the River Chuna breached, submerging at least 42 villages in Gabura, Padmapukur, Munshiganj and Kashimari unions under Shyamnagar upazila in the district rendering thousands of people homeless. Finding no other alternative, local people reconstructed the damaged embankment to protect their life and property from further flooding, Munshiganj union parishad (UP) Chairman Asim Kumar Mridha told this correspondent. “Local people have successfully completed reconstruction of the damaged embankment on self-help basis. Getting the work done by a contractor through tender would cost much higher. Local administration and the Water Development Board sanctioned 100 tonnes of rice for the purpose," Satkhira Deputy Commissioner Md Abdus Samad said. The affected people got five kg of rice each for their work per day, he added.