Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila Nrbahi Officer (UNO) launched a clean-up drive of Rahmatkhali canal with two volunteer organisations in the town on Saturday morning.
UNO Jamshed Alam Rana led the initiative and two volunteer organisations, BD Clean and Volunteer for Bangladesh actively participated in the cleaning operation.
During the initiative, water hyacinths, accumulated waste, and long-standing debris were removed from the canal as well as several fish traps, including 'beljal' and other net traps that were set inside the canal which were recovered and destroyed.
Locals expressed their satisfaction with this coordinated effort between the administration and young volunteers after a long time. They believe that such initiatives undertaken before the start of the monsoon season will significantly reduce waterlogging in the town.
Many areas of Lakshmipur town remained submerged for extended periods during the 2024 monsoon season. This was largely due to the canals being filled and clogged with dirt and waste, preventing water from draining effectively.
Jamshed Alam said, “We've cleared water hyacinths and made the waterways functional again, removing obstacles and structures that impeded water flow. A larger-scale operation to free Lakshmipur canals from encroachment and pollution will be launched very soon.”
