Poor drainage system blamed

Saidul Islam Abir from Raiganj:

More than one hundred families in Chandaikona Purbapara village in Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj district have been facing immense sufferings due to water-logging problem.

The entire areas go underwater with a little rain due to poor drainage system and lack of effective measures by the authorities concerned, locals complained.

They urged the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) in Raiganj to pay special attention in this regard to resolve the crisis.

During a spot visit to the area, locals complained that, more than a hundred of families in the village lead miserable life along with their children due to water-logging caused by heavy downpours.

Due to poor drainage system, water can’t leave smoothly causing spread of stink after rotting the dumped wastes. It is threatening the local environment drastically. Though, the matter was informed to the authorities concerned of local union parishad and even upazila administration, but to no effect.

Reza Akand, Rezaul Karim Babu, Abdul Hamid, and Zahidul Islam of the village said that, many people in the area are being affected with various types of water-borne diseases including skin infection, diarrhoea, asthma, cough and fever due to living in such unhealthy environment day after day. Children and the elderly men are at the highest health risk. The rate of suffering from diseases like diarrhoea, skin diseases and stomach aches is highest.

Babul Akhter, a local resident said, “We are in panic whenever the monsoon comes. Even with a little rain, water rises around the house. Cooking, moving, everything becomes impossible. There was a culvert in our area to drain the water. Currently, mouth of the culvert has become blocked with the garbage. The water stagnated in the area is not going out in any direction. This has created water-logging and sufferings.”

The locals claim that, if proper drainage system is not ensured right now, this problem will become more serious and public health will be threatened.

Chandaikona Union Parishad Panel Chairman Md. Habibur Rahman Khan said, “We will have to talk with UNO for a permanent solution very soon.”

Md. Humayun Kabir, UNO of Raiganj said, “Effective measures would be taken soon after discussing with the respective people on how to resolve the problem.”