Stand by the coastal flood victims amid fears of flooding
Millions of people in the country have been suffering due to the heavy rains because of low pressure in the Bay of Bengal. The suffering of the residents of the coastal areas has reached its peak.
In just a year, various districts of Chittagong division, including Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, and Comilla, are facing the threat of flooding again.
The multidimensional crisis is already visible, with cropland and seedbeds submerged; fish from ponds and farms washed away; and roads submerged, making transportation difficult.
Due to heavy rains and landslides, several embankments of two rivers in Feni have collapsed, flooding many villages and raising fears of another major flood like last year.
After the dreadful flood in Feni last year, the government had promised to protect the dam.
However, even after that terrible flood, the Bangladesh Water Development Board could not get rid of the traditional dam repair method.
Even officials of the board themselves have said, although minor floods can be controlled through such renovation and repair activities, it is not possible to control large-scale floods like the one in August last year.
Not only in Feni; there is no end to complaints about dams in the entire country.
Due to irregularities, crores of taka is spent every year on dam repairing. Due to construction defects and the use of low-quality materials, dams are unable to protect people from floods and other disasters.
The local people were flood-free for several years after the Muhuri-Kahua-Silonia Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation Project, initiated in 2006 at a cost of 151 crore taka to permanently solve the flood problem in Feni, was completed in 2010.
There are allegations that a corrupt group is embezzling money every year in the name of dam repairs.
After the erosion, the Water Development Board and influential circles, instead of moving towards the construction of a permanent dam, quickly built a temporary dam, so that it would be easier for them to obtain allocation again the following year.
In this case, there have been complaints about specific contracting companies receiving work orders every time.
We know that the residents of coastal areas have to face various types of disasters, including floods and cyclones to survive.
Although the government has made various promises regarding their relief, in reality, these promises are often not fulfilled.
We believe that the government must stand by these struggling people. Build sustainable dams for them and ensure housing for the affected families.