Bangladesh: High Tide Floods 30 Villages Inland in Bhola

Flood water has submerged the yard of a homestead at Hazariganj village in Charfashion upazila of Bhola district. Photo: Star

Jul 13, 2014

At least 30 villages under Monpura and Charfashion upazilas of the district have been flooded due to high tide under the impact of full moon.
The worst affected villages in Monpura upazila are Kulagazir Taluk, Kauar Tek, Iswar Ganj, Hajir Char, Char Faijuddin, Char Jatin, Taltola, Char Goalia and South Sakuchia.
People of the villages said water from the Meghna River entered the villages on Saturday evening through the open flood control dyke in South Sakuchia and Monpura unions.
Around 10.5 kilometres area of the flood control dyke in both upazilas collapsed last year, but the authorities concerned didn’t take steps to repair the dyke during dry season.
According to contractor Ohidullah Kajol, also chairman of South Sakucia Union Parishad, he got the work order to repair 4.5 kilometres damaged portion of the embankment in June this year. “It is quite impossible to finish the work in the rainy season,” the contractor said.
According to Water Development Board (Div-2) and local sources, a 5.5 kilometres area of the flood control dyke on the eastern and western sides of South Sakucia union and a 5 kilometres area of the dyke in Monpura union have remained open for one year and water entering the villages of the unions through the breached portions.
In Charfashion upazila, the affected villages are Mohammadpur, Hamidpur, Char Newton, Char Afzal, East Madras, Miajan Pur, Ayeshabag, Aslampur, Jahanpur, Omrabaz, East and West Hazariganj and Mafijabad villages.
Water from the Megna entered the villages through the breached portion of the flood control dyke that has remained without repair for one year.
Around a 5 kilometres area of the embankment collapsed during high tide under the impact of full moon last year.
Jahangir Hossain, a vegetable grower of Char Afzal village, said cucumbers on his 40 decimals of land have gone under water.
Masuda Begum, a housewife of East Madras village, said she could not prepare Sehri and Iftar last night as her house has been inundated.
Maolana Rafiuddin, Imam of Mafizabad Jame Mosque, said devotees of the village could not offer prayers in the mosque as the mosque has gone under 2 to 3 feet water
Abdul Hekim, executive engineer of the Water Development Board (Div-2) said the rainy season affects the repair work of the dykes in both upazilas.
Our Jhalakathi correspondent adds: Water level has increased from 2 to 3 feet from regular ebb tide in all areas of the district, locals said.
Farmlands and homestead, betel and banana gardens have got flooded due to high tide. The gangway at all ferry terminals have been submerged at yesterday noon.

Source