BWDB re-excavates river, canals in Netrakona to prevent flood

NETROKONA, Apr 28(BSS): The re-excavation of five canals and one river are underway in Netrakona district to protect low-lying areas from floodwater.

"Under the canals and rivers re-excavation project, Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) office in Netrakona is implementing these programmes at a cost of Tk 144.9 million to restore normal water flow through digging canals and river for preventing floods," Executive engineer of BWDB Mohammad Akteruzzaman told the news agency.

Alongside lack of dredging, illegal land grabbing is hampering normal flow of water bodies including canals and rivers in Netraskona, he said after successful implementation of the project, low-lying areas and vast farm land will be protected from floodwater.

The BWDB sources here said the five canals are Kasim Khal at Netrakona Sadar upazila, Durendor Khal in Modan upazila, Khuk Khali Khal in Purbadhala upazila, Shapmara Khal in Mohanganj upazila, Beltoli khal in Durgapur upazila and the river Mohadeo in Kalmakanda upazila under the district.

"After completion of the re-excavation works, the amount of surface water would increase in the natural open water bodies and the surface water could be used for irrigation purpose side by side with increasing fish resources", he said.