News Desk : dhakamirror.com
Heavy rain caused by a a depression in the bay and a tidal wave caused by the full moon have inundated the low-lying areas of Bagerhat. According to the additional district commissioner Hafiz Al Asad, 750 families in the district are currently suffering from the waterlogging disaster. However, locals said the number was at least a thousand.
Parts of Mongla, Morrelgonj and Bagerhat municipalities, and Baharbunia, Khaulia, Putikhali, Teligati, Hoglapasa of Morrelganj upazila; Raripara, Afra, Kalmibuniya of Kachua, Bemrata, Dema, Karapara of Bagerhat Sadar upazila; Sundarbans, Joymonir Ghol, and Chila of Mongla; Hurka, Batali of Rampal upazila; Southakhali of Sharankhola upazila and several areas of Rayenda union have remained submerged for the last three to four days.
“All the houses are under water in our area,” said Aziz Sheikh of Morrelganj town.
Sagir Gazi of Baharbunia area said the condition is similar in his area.
Meanwhile, the water level of rivers in the Sundarbans has increased by 3-5 feet, according to forest department sources.
Most areas of the Sundarbans, including Karamjal, Jamtala, Hironpoint, Dublarchar, Alibanda, and Andharmanik are under water.
Besides, the water level has increased by five to six feet in the Dubla area, said Mohammad Belayet Hossain, divisional forest officer of East Sundarban.
“There has been no report of damage to the forest’s animals so far. Large areas of the Sundarbans are naturally inundated by tides. However, the wildlife here is used to this,” he added.
A project has been undertaken to build high mounds (land piles) at different spots inside the forest to shelter forest animals. Twelve such mounds will be constructed in the forest in the current fiscal year.
Masum Billah, executive engineer of Water Development Board in Bagerhat, said the water level of almost all the rivers in the district, including Pasur, Baleshwar, Panguchi, and Bhairab, has increased significantly.
The Pasur is flowing 15 cm above the danger level, while waters at Daratana and Bhairav are flowing 10 cm above the danger level, he said.
“During high tide, water flows at a height of two to three feet, but no embankment is in danger. The water pressure will decrease in the next three to four days, after the rain subsides and the full moon passes,” he added.
