Over 5,000 families of Sehakathi, Balaikathi and Badura villages in Patuakhali Sadar upazila are badly sufferings as over 500 feet flood control embankment cum road at Balaikathi village collapsed into the nearby Sehakathi River during tidal surges from July 7 to 15 this year.

Due to the situation, people of these villages have to cross additional two kilometres to communicate with Sadar upazila parishad and district headquarters.

“Students of two high schools, two primary schools and a madrasa around

the area are suffering much as the embankment cum road collapsed into the river. Our suffering will increase if it is not repaired during this dry season," said Dulu Mridha, 55, of Badura village.

Many villagers shifted their houses several times due to river erosion that affects the area every year, he said.

Aman cultivation was affected this year as over 500 acres of cultivable land remained under saline water, said Moslem Howlader, a local farmer.

"We raised the matter at the meeting of upazila development committee several times for taking step to repair the embankment soon. I also urged

Water Development Board (WDB) and Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to repair the embankment and the road,” said Altaf Hossain Shah Alam, chairman for Auliapur union parishad.

Md Rafiqul Islam, sub-assistant engineer of Patuakhali Water Development Board, said, “We have sent an estimate of Tk 75 lakh to the higher authority to rebuild the embankment. The work will start if the fund becomes available."

Abu Saleh Md Hanif, executive engineer of LGED, said they will rebuild the road after the embankment is repaired.