Boats are now the means of transportation for the flood-stricken people of Asashuni and Shyamnagar upazila of the coastal district Satkhira, which was devastated by the super cyclone ‘Amphan’.

As there is water on the road, water around the shelter and the community clinic and houses are under water, thousands of people have taken refuge on the embankment of the river. However, homeless people are afraid that the dam may break at any time.

Hundreds of people in Hazrakhali village of Asashuni upazila  expressed their fears saying, “We don’t know for how long we will have to live like this on the embankment”.

It was seen visiting the area that the fast flowing river Kholpetua, and the riverside village are all flooded with water. The condition of the dam on which people have taken shelter is also dilapidated. At any time the dam can disappear into the river water.

Local resident Suday Kumar Mandal said boats are the means of transportation for the flood-stricken people now. Roads, jetties, houses are all submerged in water. If anyone want to go to Hazrakhali village, they have to travel a long winding way. There is a shortage of potable water among the people. The sanitation system is broken as well. However, both the government and the private organisations are working hard to deal with the situation.

Under the direction of former Health Minister Prof Dr AFM Ruhul Haque-MP, relief materials are being distributed among the flood-stricken people of the remote and inaccessible areas of Asashuni Upazila. Besides, medical team is working to provide healthcare.

Meanwhile, the same situation is prevailing in Gabura, Padmapukur, Kashimari and Burigoalini Unions of Shyamnagar Upazila.

In this regard, Satkhira Deputy Commissioner earlier said that 22,715 houses in Satkhira were completely destroyed and about 61,000 houses were partially destroyed in the cyclone Amphan. Besides, 137 crore 61 lakh 30 thousand taka was lost in agriculture sector.

Fisheries resources worth Tk 176 crore and 3 lakh have been destroyed. Livestock worth of Tk 77 lakh 67 thousand were damaged. Meanwhile, 81 km of roads and 57.50 km of embankments were damaged while more than 150 electricity poles were uprooted.

He added that work has started on an emergency basis to rehabilitate the affected areas. The government is working to build a permanent and sustainable dam. Moreover, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has allocated Tk 475 crore for river dredging project in the district.