Cyclone Yaas: Tidal water damages embankments in Khulna
About 400 families of Jhulantapara and Kalabagi villages are suffering extremely due to the tidal water.
Several villages are flooded as the tidal water in the rivers adjoining the Sundarbans in Khulna has increased by 3 to 4 feet than normal and damages embankments due to the effect of cyclone Yaas.
The water has damaged the embankments of the Water Development Board at five points and submerged several villages. Some embankments of Dakop and Paikgachha upazilas have also been damaged.
According to local people, the water level in Kapotakkho, Shakbaria, Pashur, Chunkundi, Dhaki, Shibsa, Kazibachha, Jhapjhapia and Manga rivers of Koyra and Dakop upazilas adjacent to the Sundarbans has risen by 3 to 4 feet due to cyclone Yaas and full moon.
Koira Sadar UP Chairman Humayun Kabir said, "The tidal waters of the Shakbaria River have entered the locality of South Bedkashi union, Mathbari and Maharajpur union after damaging embankments. Besides, the embankment of the Water Development Board in Tetultala and Dashalia villages of Maheshpur union has been damaged and the local people have been submerged in saltwater."
"Besides, tidal water overflowed over the embankment of the Water Development Board in the Kapotakkho River at high tide on Tuesday night. The villagers immediately protected the dam with soil. At present, about 5,000 people of that village are in extreme panic," he said.
The 1,000-foot embankment at Padmapukur on the same river and the half-kilometre embankment at Hariharpur Gazipara are also at risk. On Tuesday afternoon, the embankment of Shakbaria river in North Bedkashi union and the embankment of the Water Development Board, half a kilometre east of Katkata Bazar, became risky due to tidal water.
The half-kilometre embankment of Shakbaria River in the east of Jorsing village and about 1000 feet embankment at Gatirgram is at extreme risk at present.
On the other hand, half a kilometre embankment on the east side of Hamkura canal in Kora Sadar Union and half a kilometre area of Dashalia village in Maharajpur Union have become extremely risky. These areas are in danger of flooding at any time.
About 400 families of Jhulantapara and Kalabagi villages are suffering extremely due to the tidal water.
Tildanga UP chairman Ranjit Kumar said, "About 18km of embankment in Tildanga union is in extreme danger. These embankments are at risk and the adjacent locality can be flooded anytime."
He said they are trying to repair the embankment to protect the areas from flooding.
Khulna District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Azizul Haque Joardar said, "The situation is still normal. However, people will be asked to go to the shelter if warning signal number 4 is displayed."