Eighteen years have passed since Cyclone Sidr devastated Sarankhola upazila in Bagerhat, yet the painful memories of that tragic night still haunt the survivors. The storm, which struck on November 15, 2007, claimed the lives of at least 908 individuals in this region alone, leaving behind a path of destruction that forever altered the landscape and the inhabitants’ lives.
Recalling the fateful night when Sidr’s tidal surge engulfed entire villages, residents stand by the same riverbanks that witnessed the tragedy. Delowar Talukder, a resident of Chalitabunia, Southkhali union, vividly remembers losing his four-month-old daughter and five-year-old son. The traumatic experience remains etched in his memory, exacerbated by the fragile state of the riverbanks and coastline, which still pose a significant risk.
Despite the government’s efforts to construct embankments post-Sidr, residents like Delowar express concerns over the embankments’ durability, citing their gradual deterioration. The fear of another calamity looms large as the vulnerability of the region persists, with many feeling that the cyclone marked a definitive shift in their way of life.
Shajahan Molla, another survivor from Chalitabunia, narrates how his family narrowly escaped the rising waters on a boat, losing five relatives in the process. The existing barriers provide little reassurance, prompting fears of relocation if the riverbanks are not reinforced adequately.
Local journalist Shaheen Howlader points out visible signs of impending danger, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger embankments and enhanced monitoring to prevent a recurrence of the devastation. The erosion of Bagerhat’s Bogi Bandar area serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
Acting upazila nirbahi officer Md Habibullah acknowledges the necessity for robust embankments to safeguard the community. Assuring proactive measures, he mentions ongoing discussions with the Water Development Board to implement a project aimed at constructing more resilient dykes to meet the residents’ expectations.
As Sarankhola grapples with the aftermath of Cyclone Sidr, the community’s primary plea is not for compensation or special treatment but for the assurance of a secure future free from the threat of the Boleshwar river’s wrath.