Comitted to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 4 Num 158 Sun. November 02, 2003  
   
National


12000 marooned in Satkhira
Food, drinking water crises in 15 villages; diarrhoea breaks out


Over 12,000 people are marooned in 15 villages in Kalaroa upazila as floodwater from Kabodak river remained stagnant there for over three weeks.

Many of the affected people have left homes and taken shelter on high lands and at educational institutions.

Diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases have broken out in the villages due to crisis of food and drinking water.

Local people told this correspondent during a visit on Thursday that over 250 people, most of them children, have been attacked with diarrhoea.

The affected villages include Khan Para, Malo Para, Sardar Para, Kanda Para, Karikar Para, Gazi Para Jelepara Kamar Para, Kashiadanga, Nath Para, Kashiadanga, Khetra Para, Bamankhali, , Joynagar, Jalalabad and Jugikhali.

Most of the markets in the area are also under 3-4 feet water.

Local people and political leaders have appealed for immediate government help. If food and drinking water can not be supplied, diarrhoea will spread, they said.

Crops on over 3000 acres of land and many shrimp farms have reeled under floodwater.

When contacted Kalaroa Upazila Nirbahi Officer Laxman Chandra Devnath said the situation will no improve unless the water-logging problem is removed.