Cyclone Yaas: People voluntarily repairing embankments in Satkhira

People in the coastal areas of Satkhira were seen repairing damaged embankments voluntarily on Monday as Cyclone Yaas is approaching.

Though Water Development Board (WDB) has said embankments are unlikely to collapse, locals claim that their long-standing demand of sustainable embankments has not been met as of yet.

Locals fear that the damage from the storm will be devastating if the embankments collapse. 

"Due to climate change, natural disasters hit the coastal areas every year. After the natural calamities, high-ups come and give some assurances. However, we have never seen its implementation," said Shahin Billah, a resident of Patakhali village in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira.

"We, coastal people, are not afraid of storms, we are afraid of fragile embankments," he added.

GM Masudul Alam, chairman of Gabura Union Parishad in Shyamnagar upazila, said three to four kilometres of embankments at five points in Lebugunia, Napitkhali, Chawkbara and Kalibari Gabura were at risk. 

Locals fear that the damage from the storm will be devastating if the embankments collapse. Photo/TBS

Bhabatosh Kumar Mandal, chairman of Burigoalini Union Parishad, said three embankments in several areas under the union were at risk. 

If tidal waves hit these areas, the dam will collapse and the localities will be flooded. 10-12 km of embankments in the union are at risk.

Meanwhile, Zulfiqar Ali, officer-in-charge of Satkhira Meteorological Department, said there was a possibility of tidal surges. 

Abul Khair, executive engineer of Satkhira Water Development Board-1, said the 1.5-kilometres coast protection embankments at 29 points in Shyamnagar upazila were at risk.

They were being repaired, he said.

The embankments would not be damaged by tidal surges, he claimed.

Rashedur Rahman, executive engineer of Satkhira Water Development Board-2, said 5.292 km of coastal protection embankments at 16 points in his area were also at risk.