A Correspondent:
Patuakhali: Cyclone Remal caused extensive damages in Patuakhali district, leaving people of 30 villages stranded, destroying homes and uprooting trees.
At least 760 houses were damaged in worst-hit Kalapara upazila of the district.
Of those, 140 dwellings were completely destroyed while 520 partially, said Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Rabiul Islam.
Heavy rains with strong winds are still continuing, he said.
Jalalpur, Christian Palli, Paschim Hajipur, Nabipur and Fatehpur villages of Nilganj union of the upazila were inundated by the tidal surge caused by the cyclone.
Due to high tide, the flood control embankment adjacent to Jalalpur village overflowed and water entered the locality. Gaiatala, Champapur, Dhankhali and Lalua. Nijkata villages of the union were also flooded.
People of at least 30 villages have been marooned in the upazila due to the cyclone-induced flood.
According to preliminary information from the district administration, 9,105 ponds, 765 fish enclosures and 120 crab enclosures were inundated in the district, causing fish farmers a loss of Tk 13.33 crore.
In addition, 3,500 thatched houses were destroyed and thousands of trees were uprooted, causing losses worth around Tk 28.69 crore, said the district relief officer.
Besides, 3 km of embankments in Patuakhali and 4 km in Kalapara upazila were partially destroyed, according to the Water Development Board.
Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner Nur Kutubul Alam said the list of victims will be sent to the ministry yesterday.
The fire service has started work to remove the fallen trees in different places of the district, he added.
In Kuakata sea beach hundreds of trees were uprooted by the tidal surge
Motaleb Sharif, general secretary of the Kuakata Hotel-Motel Owners Association, said rainwater entered every floor of the multi-storied hotels in Kuakata due to heavy rains as well as strong winds.
The people living outside the embankment in Kauar Char and Char Gangamati areas of Dhulasa union on the seashore are the worst sufferers.
