Thwarting recurring floods

The newly constructed dam on the eastern side of Netai river in Dhubarua upazila in Mymensingh that will protect 20 villages from flood and erosion. PHOTO: STAR

People in at least 20 villages are now free from worries following construction of the massive dam by CARITAS. The 640 metre long and 12.4 metre wide dam will protect crops worth over Tk 5 crore annually and human habitations in Goshgoan, Dhubaura, Gamaritala and Purakundulia unions.

Work on the Tk 1.2 crore project was started in December last year and completed recently. It will protect the area from floods caused by onrush of waters from Meghalaya hills in India, only three kilometer away.

CARITAS sources said they constructed the dam following appeals by local people. The dam will also protect the area from erosion by the river.

The dam, built with funds from its Luxembourg office is the biggest project taken up by CARITAS in Bangladesh, they said. The dam has been reinforced with concrete bocks and is likely to be durable.

Local people extended their wholehearted supports in the work, they said.

People living in Bhalukapara, Joripapra, Sidlipara and Purba Goshgoan villages were the worst sufferers due to erosion by the river. They will now be safe, said Goshgoan Union Parishad Chairman Shamsul Haque while talking to this correspondent.

Deposit of silt on croplands carried by flood waters made many affluent farmers pauper as their croplands were rendered uncultivable, said local BNP leader Prof Azharul Islam. This will stop now, he added.