Thousands of people living in Mirzaganj upazila on Payra riverbank are passing their time in great anxiety due to damaged embankments and river erosion.
Most of the embankments in the upazila surrounded by the river Payra are in a dilapidated condition and people in the area usually get panicked when the water level rises in the river. Even tidal water can wash away the unprotected embankments, locals said. Besides, any danger signal of the Meteorological Department increases the intensity of panic several times. According to the latest Met Office bulletin, the severe cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ was feared to cross Khepupara coast near Mongla and Sagar Island of West Bengal by Sunday evening or midnight.
Under the peripheral effect of the severe cyclone, rain with gusty winds started in many coastal districts of the country from Saturday afternoon, creating panic among thousands of people living near embankments in Mirzaganj upazila.
Of the total six unions of the upazila, five unions are surrounded by the river Payra. And the condition of embankments along the river banks of these unions is very fragile and shaky. There is no special arrangement. Such unprotected embankments can be washed away at any time by river water while the river can also destroy the cropland in the upazila.
On the other hand, monsoon season is ahead. At the beginning of the rainy season, non-stop erosion by the river Payra begins every year. So when the rainy season comes, people here spend their days amid fear and panic. Meanwhile, the upazila's Kakrabunia market and Golkhali sluice gate have come under threat as the river can devour them at any time during any tide or full moon in the rainy season.
Every year the villagers living on Payra riverbanks have to live a miserable life amid fear and anxiety when any low pressure is formed in the Bay of Bengal and during the monsoon season. And after the rainy season, the people concerned loot allocation in the name of repair of embankments, locals complain.
Continuous erosion of Payra river was noticed in Mirzaganj.
While visiting different spots, this correspondent found there is a possibility that agricultural land, including homesteads, will be damaged as the embankment adjacent to Shahjahan Howladar's house in the upazila is unprotected. Besides, the embankments of various areas, including Golakhali, Charkhali, Mehindabad, Kakrabunia, Bhayang, Rampur and Santospur, of the upazila are constantly falling under the river. Sundra Kalikapur Secondary School, Sundra Primary School, Rampur Dakhil Madrasa have already been devoured by Payra river.
And the current condition of embankments in all these areas is very bad. When the monsoon comes, there is a danger that the tidal water will enter through the broken dam and flood the crop lands and houses in that area.
Local residents Ali Akbar, Imran and Khalek who are living along with various embankments of the upazila said due to the lack of strong embankments, people are losing everything to the river. They have to fight with Payra River for survival. The embankments might also be washed away by the tidal water when the rain comes. They demanded construction of durable embankments.
6 No. Mojidbaria Union Parishad member Md Ruman Hossain said the embankments of the area are broken and weak. If there is a major flood or flash flood, the poor people will have no way to survive.
Mirzaganj Upazila Chairman Khan Md Abu Bakar Siddiqui said many people of the upazila have become destitute due to the river erosion. They are now living a miserable life as they have lost their arable land along with their habitations. The department concerned has been informed repeatedly for construction of sustainable embankment.
Md Arif Hossain, Executive Engineer of Patuakhali Water Development Board, said the most damaged dams will be renovated before the monsoon. Surveys are going on for permanent solution to river erosion. We will work on time after receiving the report.
