Low-lying areas of 14 villages in Khulna submerged, 15,000 people stranded

KHULNA, Aug 26 (UNB): The low lying areas of Deluti union in Paikgacha upazila of Khulna have been submerged due to the collapse of an embankment, leaving 15,000 people stranded.
A number of fish enclosures were washed away while a vast tract of crop land was inundated.
Local people witnesses the breaches in the embankment near No 22 polder of Water Development Board in Deluti union on August 21 that worried the residents over possible flashflood.
Due to the collapse of the embankment, erosion has taken a serious turn in the area. Fourteen villages under the union were submerged. The villages include Kalinagar, Darul Mallik, Syed Khali, Harinkhola, Senerhat, Gopipagla, Khejurtala, Telikhola, Hatbari, Phulbari, Bigordana, Durgapur and Noalgram.
The residents of these villages have taken shelter on the high places, roads and schools.
Nazneen Begum, Paikgachha Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said some 2000 people have taken shelter in the schools and sufficient relief materials were provided.
Ashim Kumar Das, Upazila Agriculture Officer, said a total of 950 hectares of Aman paddy, 225 hectares of Aman paddy seeds and 25 hectares of vegetable lands have been damaged due to the flashflood.
Saikat Mallik, senior upazila fisheries officer, said at least 400 fish enclosures were washed away by the flood water.
Contacted, Executive Engineer of Water Development Board, Ashraful Islam, said it is not possible to build an embankment now due to the rise in water level.