People want to see visible progress in the government's commitment to implementing the Teesta Mega Project, says Jamaat-e-Islami cheif Shafiqur Rahman.
He made the remarks on Friday morning after arriving in Chattogram to inspect the flood situation and distribute relief among flood victims. He spoke to journalists at Shah Amanat International Airport.
Shafiqur, the leader of the opposition in parliament, said: "The problem is now mainly affecting four divisions of the country -- Chattogram, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh. The other divisions are not in particularly good condition either, but the situation in these four divisions is steadily worsening.
He warned that Rangpur Division would face the greatest threat if upstream Teesta dams were opened.
Calling it an “annual tragedy”, Shafiqur said Jamaat had repeatedly demanded implementation of the Teesta Mega Project and the government had pledged to carry it out.
He said the party was now waiting for that commitment to be fulfilled. While the project was large and would take time, people wanted work to begin and visible progress to be seen.
Speaking about the flood situation in Chattogram, he said the visit was aimed at standing beside affected people, assessing conditions on the ground and placing demands before the government.
The veteran leader also expressed sympathy for flood victims and prayed for those who had died in floods, landslides and related incidents.
Shafiqur said Chattogram, despite being Bangladesh's commercial capital, continued to suffer whenever there was even moderate rainfall, with overflowing drains and sewers causing widespread disruption and, in previous years, deaths.
"It is primarily the government's responsibility to solve these problems. However, as an opposition party, we also have a responsibility to bring these issues to the government's attention and advocate on behalf of the people. That is one of the main reasons for our visit today," he added.
Shafiqur said he would visit Banshkhali, Lohagara, Satkania and several parts of Chattogram city to assess conditions and provide whatever support possible.
Within its limited capacity, Jamaat would continue supporting flood-hit families, particularly those who had lost relatives, he said, adding that all affiliated organisations had been instructed to carry out relief work according to their capacity under central coordination.
Afterward, he visited flood-affected areas including Gunagari in Banshkhali Upazila and Bakshirkhil in Eochia Union of Satkania Upazila, where he distributed relief supplies and financial assistance among flood victims.
