Gofran Palash, Kalapara (Patuakhali)

Thousands of people have been affected by the collapse of the Sadarpur sluice embankment in Nilganj Union of the upazila due to the strong current of the Andarmanik River in Kalapara, Patuakhali. As the sluice was damaged, about 700 acres of cropland was submerged in water. Waterlogging has occurred. About 4,000 families in seven villages have been waterlogged.

It is learnt that the collapse of the embankment has cut off direct road communication in the area. This has put ordinary people, including students, in danger. To protect the people of Hajipur and Sonatala townships near the junction of the Sagar estuary and the Andharmanik River from tidal surges, an embankment was built from Hajipur Bridge to Jalalpur. The Sadarpur three-vent sluice was built to drain the water inside the embankment. Due to lack of renovation for a long time, the sluice collapsed along with the embankment due to the intense pressure of the Andharmanik River current.

Locals said that after the sluice broke, the water drainage path was blocked. As a result, the tidal water of the Sonatala River entered and flooded seven nearby villages. Homes, roads, croplands and fish ponds were submerged in water. The fish in the ponds and ponds of many people were washed away. Families are spending their days in waterlogged conditions.

Rahim Uddin of Sonatala village said, "The water is not flowing down because the sluice has broken. Water has entered the houses, and children have stopped going to school. If urgent measures are not taken, the suffering will increase further."

Pavel, a resident of Sadarpur village, said, "The sluice has been at risk since last year. If it had been renovated then, we wouldn't have faced such problems today."

Kalapara Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md. Shah Alam Bhuiyan said that proposals have been sent for the reconstruction of the broken sluices and water gates. If allocation is received, initiatives will be taken for quick renovation.