Floodwaters leave 200,000 Jashore residents in ceaseless misery for 30 days

Over 200,000 people in three upazilas of Jashore have been remaining waterlogged for the past 30 days as floodwaters are yet to recede following monsoon rains, residents said.

In Dumurtala village of Jashore's Abhaynagar upazila, many people left their waterlogged homes and took shelter inside makeshift roadside shacks covered in polythene sheets, where they are living with their

cattles. A family of four is crammed on just one bed, while the road is the only place available for cooking on clay stoves.

In many places of Abhaynagar, Monirampur and Keshabpur upazilas, roads remain submerged and boats are the only mode of transportation.

At Bhabadhah in Bhabanipur village in Abhaynagar upazila, the operations of 21-vent, 9-vent, and 6-vent sluice gates at the Shree River has exacerbated the waterlogging situation for the people of vast regions in the three upazilas.

"We are forced to live alongside snakes and frogs. If the waterlogging is not resolved soon, we will take to the streets with farmers and labourers. We do not want to live like this," said Ranjit Bawali, the convener Bhabadhah Water Drainage Struggle Committee. The committee is demonstrating for years to have their waterlogging crisis resolved in their area.

One of the committee's members alleged that the government and bureaucrats have been negligent in taking steps to resolve their waterlogging problem.

Palash Kumar Banerjee, executive engineer at the Water Development Board's Jashore office said, "Four large and 15 small electric pumps are being used to drain water from the 21-vent sluice gate during high tide. Additionally, six gates are kept open during low tide to release large volumes of water, and the water will recede soon."

He added that the army will begin dredging 81.5 kilometres of six rivers in Bhabadhah next month.

The flood situation has worsened for the people in Monirampur upazila due to the current situation of the Amdanga canal.

"A contractor has been appointed for the renovation of the Amdanga canal and work is expected to begin within one to two months," Mr Banarjee added.

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