The flood-affected population of Moulvibazar has become destitute after the recent flooding in the district. However, their fears have not subsided as the damaged embankments are yet to be repaired.
Many of them had no other recourse but to build shelters on top of the river embankments.
Moulvibazar Water Development Board has identified 38 places where the embankments of the Monu, Dholai, and Kushiara rivers have been damaged.
According to information provided by them, embankments along 4,426m of the river were damaged by the flood. Surveys are still being conducted to repair the damaged or weakened portions of the embankments.
Residents near the banks of the Monu and Dholai rivers have said that – due to a lack of river excavation, new flood surges, and lacking repairs to embankments – the crisis is deepening. As a result, the residents live in constant fear of flooding at the beginning of monsoon season every year.
Water Development Board officials echoed the sentiments, emphasizing the need for river excavation and planned permanent embankments.
Director General of Water Development Board Md Mahfuzur Rahman and Chief Engineer (Northeastern Region) Md Zulfiquer Ali Hawlader came to inspect the damaged areas near the rivers on June 29.
At that time, they talked with the local residents and assured them of different steps and plans that will be undertaken to provide a permanent solution to the problem.
Last year, Hakaluki, Kauwadighi and Hail Haor locals were devastated by unseasonal floods and water-logging in these areas. This year, a similar situation is occurring in the areas near the banks of Monu, Dholai, and Kushiara rivers.
400,000 people from 40 unions and two municipalities of Moulvibazar – and those from Kulaura, Kamalganj, and Rajnagar – were affected because of damaged river embankments.
Locals near the Monu, Dholai, and Kushiara rivers have lost their homes, croplands, and fisheries due to the sudden-onset of flooding. 10 people lost their lives. Flood-affected victims claim a loss of more than Tk1000 crore was incurred during this year's rainy season.
The district administration is still trying to find out the exact amount of damage the district has faced. But the waters have receded from most of the flood-affected areas, and people are returning to their homes.
The flood-affected victims are still trying to repair their homes despite their impoverished state. Meanwhile, thousands of people, near the river banks, fear another flood—if the damaged embankments are not repaired soon.
Villagers from Sharifpur area, in Kulaura, near the Monu River, have taken shelter on embankments, as they are afraid to return to their homes before the risky embankments are repaired.
Despite the embankments being broken at 38 places along the Monu, Dholai, and Kushiara rivers, the Water Development Board has only taken initiatives to repair them in 18 places. Contractors have been employed for the remaining 20 places, but repair work has not yet started.
The board has confirmed that work will start soon, but the villagers want the embankments to be permanently repaired.
On June 12, almost 500 villages in Kamalganj and Moulvibazar were swept away by floodwaters when the water broke through 38 points of Kamalganj, Kulaura, Rajnagar, and Moulvibazar.
People ran to the 67 shelters, embankments, and other high places, to save themselves from the flood. They claim the aid provided by the government is insufficient, but different local and foreign organizations have continued distributing aid amid the victims.
According to the Water Development Board, repair work is being carried out in: Chanpur of Sharifpur in Kulaura, Telibil-1,2,3, Chatlapur Bridge, Itarghat, Ranchap-1, Ranchap-2, Kalirkona of Prithimpasha, Demra embankment, Belertol, Tilagaon, Dundhalpur, Sandrabaj, Defarberi, Boliara, Hajipur, Miarpara, Baraigaon-1,2,3 of Hajipur, Bholanagar in Kamarchak, Rajnagar, Rashidpur and Abdullahpur in Fatehpur, Premnagar in Mansurnagar, Malikona, Kadamhata, Asraykapon, Shashmahal, Konagaon of Tengra, Haripasha, Ujirpur, Baroikona of Moulvibazar, Karimpur in Kamalganj, Karimpur in Munshibazar, Lakhsmipur in Rahimpur, Ghoramara in Adampur, Kewalighat, Patrokhola in Madhabpur, Mokabil of Islampur, Panishail in the Moulvibazar municipality area, and the Haldigul area of Rajnagar.
An estimated Tk4.5 crore will be spent on the repair work.
Executive of Moulvibazar Water Development Board Ranendra Shankar Chakrabarty said: "Repair work on the embankments is going on. In a few days, the work in 18 places will finish. And the work in the remaining the 20 places will soon begin."
He added that after the survey of the rest of the risky embankments is complete, it will become clear how many of the other damaged places need to be repaired.
Ranendra recommended strict surveillance to monitor a permanent, and planned, river excavation to secure the district town and villages from flood water.
Municipality Mayor of Moulvibazar Md Fazlur Rahman said: "Due to the absence of river dredging and embankment repair, the district towns and villages are at a terrible risk of flooding."