The recent cyclone that hit the Bangladesh coast caused huge damages to properties. Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat were the hardest among the 26 affected districts.
Tidal waves and continuous speeding wind washed and blew away embankments, roads, thatched houses and uprooted trees leaving a trail of devastation. In Satkhira district, where the centre of the mighty cyclone was located, the devastation was most severe as witnessed.
The tidal surge protection embankment was washed away at many points causing huge flooding to places in Shyamnagar, Kaliganj and Asashuni upazilas. Many inhabitants are remaining in the open literally submerged in flood water, many of them passing days without proper meals and accommodation.
Juba League leader Toshike Kaifu from Asashuni's Sirula said that village after village had been submerged by a broken embankment at Hazrakhali in Sirula union of Asashuni upazila. Not only the embankment, but most of the roads were also smashed. Huge number of asphalted roads in Hazrakhali, Kalimakhali, Langaldaria, Mariyala have been destroyed. Transportation and communication system is being severely affected.
Rafiqul Islam of Asashuni Sadar union made similar observations about the destructions left behind by the cyclone. He said that the dam broke at Dayarghat in Sadar Union of Asashuni and flooded a large area.
Pratapnagar UP chairman, Sk Zakir Hossain said that huge sections of rural roads in his union had collapsed along with the flood protection embankment. All the feeder roads in the villages are gone as the roads were completely destroyed.
Meanwhile, Ashek-e-Elahi, an evironmentalist and leader of the Jamuna Bachao Andolan, said public life had been disrupted in Ghola, Jhapali, Joynagar and Kashimari villages of Shyamnagar Kashimari Union. The embankment was broken at 4-5 points and one km between Jhapali and Ghola Trimohini was breached. About 5 km long dam is in danger. Although the locals helped to save the dam but it seems it may not sustain.
He said that no action has been taken so far to stop the flow of water due to lack of necessary equipment. He added that rural roads and highways in Gabura, Padmapukur, Burigoalini and Kashimari Unions of Shyamnagar Upazila have been breached at many points on the embankment.
Satkhira Deputy Commissioner SM Mostafa Kamal said that according to the preliminary survey report, 81 km of roads in the district have been damaged. Besides, 56.50 km flood control dam has been damaged as well.
