Army to Participate in Embankment Repair Work: Zahid Faruk

Bangladesh Army will take part in the repair of the embankments damaged during the 'Amphan' cyclone, Minister of State for Water Resources Zahid Faruk said Sunday.

At a meeting, he provided information on the assessment of the damage caused by 'Amphan' that hit the country on May 20.

The meeting was also told that over 100,000 residents had been waterlogged owing to mismanagement of the irrigation network and the dilapidated state of the reservoir.

In addition, 170 points of 99 embankments in Koyra and Dakope of Khulna and Shyamnagar and Ashashuni of Satkhira were damaged.

Water Resources Secretary Kabir Bin Anwar said he had visited Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat on May 22 and 23 and had a meeting with the district administration and the army.

The Deputy Minister for Water Resources Enamul Haque Shamim and the Director General of the Water Development Board AM Aminul Haque were present.

Tidal surge of 8-10 feet height, triggered by cyclone Amphan, damaged embankments at 83 points in 13 coastal districts, Faruk said on May 21.

Quoting Water Resources Ministry, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr. Md Enamur Rahman said that 150 km of flood control reservoirs were damage, while cracks developed at 84 reservoirs, resulting in losses of Tk 250-300 crore.

Cyclone Amphan hit Bangladesh on May 20 with strong winds and heavy rain. It also caused a tidal surge that caused severe damage to the banks and flooded many areas.

Several fields have been flooded and crops have been destroyed. Locals in the coastal district said that living in the areas would be very difficult if sustainable banks were not constructed.

Source: UNB