Motiar Rahman Madhu
Panic has spread across the coast including Satkhira on the news of cyclone ‘Yash’ hitting the area. Many have not yet been able to return to their homes after recovering from Ampan’s wounds. It was not possible to build the damaged embankment in Ampan. In the meantime, the people of Khulna region including Satkhira are having to face another big powerful cyclone ‘Yash’. In particular, the dilapidated coastal protection dams, which lack sustainable renovations, are a major concern for coastal residents.

In addition to the acute shortage of potable drinking water, they are also in a state of extreme anxiety as they are still unable to fully repair the houses destroyed by cyclone Amphan. Meanwhile, the district administration has asked for 145 cyclone shelters. The cyclone could hit coastal areas anytime in the next couple of days.

According to the Water Development Board, at least 482 km of dams in Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat are at risk. They are living in extreme panic as there is a strong fear that the tidal water in the rivers will rise by 3-4 feet more than usual due to the full moon. So the news of the impact of cyclone ‘Yash’ has created a frightening situation across the coast.

Most of the dams have not been repaired sustainably, and the surface of the entire coastal protection dam has not been repaired to date. In this situation, if cyclone ‘Yash’ hits the coastal town adjacent to the Sundarbans again, there is a fear of flooding and extensive damage. Preparations are being made in advance for the upcoming cyclone ‘Yash’. Coastal residents are also being warned about what to do before, during and after a disaster. He added, ‘There are 145 cyclone shelters in Satkhira district.

Besides, we have prepared 1,500 school-college educational institutions. There are 183 metric tons of food grains in stock. There is cash assistance of Tk 2.15 crore. There are adequate water purification tablets and water tanks. Police Ansar BGB and Health Department have been kept ready.
Abul Khair, an executive engineer in charge of Water Development Board Satkhira Division-1 (Shyamnagar part), said the dam had already been repaired after Ampan.

There is no problem of river erosion anywhere in the 160 km long dam that surrounds Shyamnagar. However, in order to prevent excess tidal water from entering the dam, multiple teams are working to find the weaknesses and solve them. It is hoped that the possible natural calamities will be dealt with by completing the work on the weak spot of the dam surrounding the entire Shyamnagar before May 26.