Unusual tidal surge : Hatiya island flooded, embankment collapsed
Hatiya (Noakhali) Correspondent
A terrible natural disaster has struck the coastal island of Hatiya Upazila due to the unusual tides caused by the new moon and the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal.
A vast area of the island has been flooded by the tides for several days. A nearly 4-kilometer-long embankment has collapsed, and cultivated areas and residential areas have been submerged.
The severity of the tide has not only disrupted lives and livelihoods, but also education, health and road communication systems. The islanders demand that not only one-time relief, but also sustainable construction of embankments, safe shelters, healthcare and alternative livelihoods are needed. Immediate and long-term steps by the government and relevant authorities have now become the need of the hour.
The worst-hit areas include Nijhumdwip, Sonadia's fishing village Tupania, Al-Amin village and Nalchira Charishwar. Cropland, fish ponds and mud houses in these areas have been submerged in knee-deep water. Many families have left their homes and taken shelter in open areas with their livestock. Thousands of people were stranded.
Tofazal Hossain , a resident of Nijhumdwip , said, we have to constantly fight against natural disasters to survive. But to fight, we need weapons. The government's responsibility cannot be satisfied by just providing relief. We need sustainable embankments, effective measures to prevent river erosion, and well-planned initiatives to protect the livelihoods of people in the char areas.
He further said, the need of the hour is to provide food, drinking water, medicine and toilet facilities on an emergency basis, as well as safe shelters and alternative livelihoods.
Masum Billah, a resident of Hamidullah village in Charishwar union, said that the embankment in Bangla Bazar area collapsed due to abnormal tides and flooded the entire area. This completely destroyed the vegetable fields, paddy, and other crops of the farmers. I have never seen such damage before. Our lives and livelihoods are now under serious threat. Urgent rehabilitation and assistance are needed
Hatia UNO Md Alauddin said, we need not just immediate relief but a long-term, sustainable plan to deal with natural disasters. Weaknesses in embankments and infrastructure cause the same suffering to repeat every year. This disaster proves that it is time to take practical steps in coastal development planning by prioritizing Hatiya.
He further said that farmers have been affected on a massive scale, and there has been severe disruption in business, trade, healthcare and education sectors.
Hatiya Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md. Jamil Patwari said, work is underway to quickly repair the broken embankment.
However, without the construction of a permanent and sustainable embankment, this problem cannot be solved in the long term.
