Although cyclone Yaas has not hit the coast of Satkhira directly, the tidal waters in the coastal areas have risen by 4 to 6 feet above normal since Wednesday noon.
Due to strong tide, coastal embankments have breached and water has entered in several places of Shyamnagar, Assasuni, Debhata and Kaliganj upazilas including Haradaha in Satkhira sadar.
The water has entered the locality of Assasuni Protapnagar union's Kurikaunia, Subhadrakati, five places of Shyamnagar's Padmapukur union's Banyatala, Burigoalini, Datinakhali including Daspara of Debhata, and Kaliganj upazila’s Matureshpur union as embankments have broken in these areas.
Despite the efforts of the local villagers, they could not protect these dams. Most of the dams broke due to the overflow of water.
Besides, tidal water continued to enter the locality by flooding embankments in different coastal areas of Shyamnagar, Assasuni, Debhata and Kaliganj upazila of the district. Under the leadership of local representatives, the locals are trying their best to stop the flow of water with sacks and soil. If the flow of water in these areas are not stopped quickly, the embankment could break at any moment and inundate the adjacent areas.
The wind speed in the coastal area of Satkhira started increasing from Wednesday morning due to the effect of cyclone Yaas. It had been raining sporadically. Because of the high tide on Tuesday night, the river overflowed the embankments in several places of Gabura and Padmapukur union. However, due to the weak embankment, the people of the coastal areas are worried about the tidal wave than the cyclone.
Besides, water has reached the locality of Nebubunia, Napitkhali, Gagramari and Jelekhali of Shyamnagar, Paschimpatakhali and Jhapa of Padmapukur union, Chakla and Harishkhali of Protapnagar union.
Gabura UP chairman GM Masudul Alam said that when the floodwaters overflowed at several places in his union on Tuesday night, it was prevented with the help of the villagers. But due to abnormally high tides in Kopotaksh and Kholpetua rivers on Wednesday afternoon, the river water is overflowing through Nebubunia, Napitkhali, Gagramari and Jelekhali areas of Gabura union.
“Together with the locals, we are trying our best to stop the flow of water. But if the tide rises further, it will not be possible to protect the dam in any way,” he added.
Rashedul Islam Bappi, executive engineer of Satkhira Animal Development Board Division-2, said the water level in rivers along the Shyamnagar coast of Satkhira has risen by up to 4 feet due to the impact of cyclone Yaas.
“The rivers are turbulent. The water is entering the locality of Nebubunia in Gabura, Kamalkati in Padmapukur, Datinakhali in Burigoalini and Durgabati. Two point dams in Pratapnagar and Padmapukur union have broken. People have been assigned there. They will start repairing the dam during the ebb tide”, he added.
