Govt nonchalant though flood situation is fluid

Country’s flood situation is very fluid and worsening with the hours passing. Major rivers in the Northeastern region – Surma, Kushiyara, Manu, Khowai, Sarigowain, Jhalukhali, Bhugai-Kangsha, Someswari and Jadukata are rising.

Similarly, the major rivers of the Southeastern region- Muhuri, Feni, Halda, Karnaphuli, Sangu, Matahuhuri are on the rise.

Landslides in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban have killed at least five people, including four Rohingyas. Country’s communications were disrupted partly.

Every year, people die in this season of flooding which washes away livelihoods, cattle etc. Continuous rain causes landslides in hills which experience cuttings perennially either by the private sector or by the public sector.

Heavy to very heavy rain sometimes causes flash floods. Chattogram alone went under water 10 times in seven months this year.

To address the water congestion problem of the port city, Tk 5,790 crore was spent in the last six years, but all went in vain. In 2020, a quarter of Bangladesh was flooded.

At an international conference in New York in May, the disaster management minister claimed that his government has become a role model for the world in the last seven years when it comes to the question of disaster management.

Now it may be asked where the people’s money for flood control and disaster management is going.

If ministers concerned are asked about corruption in their ministries, they slip into denial mode, trashing all the allegations against them.

These ministers don’t start investigations into the allegation of corruption against officers or ministers concerned.

Rather they resort to media bashing. These ministers rule out the investigation report on corruption, even prepared by a watchdog like ‘Transparency International, Bangladesh’.

We urge the authorities concerned to monitor the development programmes and ensure not a single penny from the exchequer is wasted. Additionally, no corrupt guy is spared and no audit objection about government development projects remains shelved.