Resolving waterlogging problem in Bhabodaho expected

Bhabodaho area is constituted of waters of Mukteshwari, Teka, Shree and Hori rivers and its distributors. Monirampur, Abhaynagar and Keshabpur upazilas of Jessore district and Dumoria and Phultala upazilas in Khunla districts are located in the Bhabodaho area.

Once, the region was rich for agriculture products, fish and other resources but the time has gone.

People in the area have also fallen into the wrath of rivers. Once the rivers were mighty and would bring blessings to people and lifeline, but the rivers are now posing a formidable threat to people.

The rivers in the area have lost their navigability due to deposition of silt over the years turning them into narrowed streams that spill out rain waters and upstream flow creating flash floods and waterlogging and putting lakhs of people on both sides of rivers under untold sufferings every year.  

The rivers are not only depriving the people of their peaceful living but also polluting environment and creating health hazards in the areas.

Vast areas in the area have been inundated due to recent torrential rainfall. This water could not be drained because of lack of rivers, leaving vast areas waterlogged. Thousands of ponds, fish enclosures and marshes have been washed away and huge fields of vegetables and croplands were flooded. Thousands of flood-affected people took shelter on high roads.

Many educational institutions have been closed due to flood water and waterlogging in Bhabodaho area. Students and guardians are very worried as education activities have been stopped.

Civil society members, specially who are living in the capital Dhaka, have formed a committee ‘Bhabodaho Pani Nishkashon Songram Committee’ with a view to resolving the waterlogging problem.

They opine that immediate steps are needed to dig a channel from the sluice gate of Bhabodaho to Sholgati. There is needed to dig up the Amdanga Cannel and it should be linked with Rajapur cannel. There is also needed to implement TRM in Beel Kopalia.

It is matter of hope that the authorities began to dig channel to drain water through the Shree and Hori rivers. Due to the initiative, water is going down slowly from the waterlogged area.

Bhabodaho Pani Niskashon Songram Committee and people from all walks of life hope that this effort will continue in a bid to resolve the waterlogging problem in the area.

Risingbd/Dhaka/Sept 3, 2016/Shanewaj/Mukul