SYLHET, July 22: Floodwaters have started receding in most of the areas of Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts, inundated by rainfall and runoff from upstream, but sufferings of the common people have not abated yet.
At least 210 kilometer stretches of roads in the districts have been damaged by strong currents and erosion by the border rivers- Manu, Dhalai and Khowai, severely disrupting the communication system, causing extreme suffering to countless people.
Quoting official sources, locals said billions of taka will be required to repair the damaged roads.
The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) sources said that more than Tk 1.70 billion will be required to repair and reconstruct the damaged roads, bridges and culverts.
Erosion by the Manu and Dhalai rivers in Moulvibazar has caused extensive damage in Komolganj, Rajnagar, Kulaura and Sadar upazilas.
According to the LGED sources, foul weather left about 95 kilometers of paved regional and rural roads damaged in four upazilas.
In some places, roads have been completely submerged, in others, large holes have been created, and somewhere, parts of the roads have been washed away by river current.
Several bridges and culverts have also collapsed as floodwaters flowed over various rural and regional roads in the upazilas. The local LGED office said that it will take some more time to get a final estimate of the total damage as floodwater has not receded completely in many areas.
Ataur Rahman, a resident of Kamalganj, said that the Adampur-Islampur road has been in a bad condition due to erosion by the Dholai River. Hundreds of potholes have been created in various places. On the other hand, the road communication system in Habiganj has also been damaged by the flood water. According to initial estimates, about 115 kilometers of roads in the district have been damaged. As traffic movement has been disrupted due to landslides, large potholes and erosion, people are forced to use long alternative routes. Syed Shahadat Ali, a resident of Kaliganj in Habiganj sadar upazila said a road has become very bad due to erosion by the Khowai River. It is very difficult to move around. The road needs to be repaired urgently. People are now avoiding this road and traveling via other distant routes. The daily life of transport drivers and ordinary passengers has come to a standstill as the road has become unfit for movement.
CNG-powered autorickshaw driver Anwar Hossain said the dilapidated roads have made driving difficult.
Passengers do not want to travel on this route, resulting in a decrease in income every day. On the contrary, additional expenses are required in repairing vehicles.
Pickup driver Abul Hossain said taking alternative routes with goods is increasing fuel costs and wasting a lot of time. Local residents Main Uddin and MAHBUB Hossain said even after floodwater recedes, the roads are lying dilapidated, making it difficult to go to market, send children to school or take patients to hospital.
In addition, farmers are facing financial losses as they are not able to take agricultural produce to market on time.
Inhabitants of the affected areas have demanded immediate activation of the rural communication system.
According to them, if urgent repairs are not made, there will be permanent damage to the medical, education and agricultural product transportation systems.
Contacted, Md. Faruque Ahmed, executive engineer of LGED, Moulvibazar, said about 95 kilometers of roads have been damaged in the district, repairing which will cost at least Tk1.70 billion. A final report will be prepared once floodwater recedes completely.
LGED Habiganj Executive Engineer Ariful Islam told this correspondent that according to initial information, around Tk780 million will be required to repair the 115-kilometer road. However, if floodwater recedes completely, the damage may increase further, he added.
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