Amphan brings boundless distress to people in Koyra

Cyclone Amphan, that hit the southern coast of Bangladesh on 20 May, has left 47 villages flooded and over 700 people homeless.

A recent visit to the area revealed the dire condition of the people, mostly living under the open sky.

Dukhiram is one of those who lost their homes.

“I had my house over there,” pointed out Dukhiram. The 55-year-old lost everything in the cyclone and now is living on the embankment with his family.

The Koyra-2 village in Koyra upazila went under water when the embankment was damaged in the cyclone. He cannot go back to his house until the embankment is repaired.

“I sent my 14 year-old daughter to her uncle’s place. I didn’t receive any government relief yet. I have been living with my son on the embankment and borrowing from relatives for food,” he said.

At least 700 more people in the area have lost their homes in the cyclone. Many have taken shelter on the embankment, while others have left the area.

There is no problem of drinking water fro the people in the area, but people are worried about their houses and livestock. The cattle are falling sick and dying due the saline water all around.

Haripada Mandal of of the village had 26 goats, 13 of them died already and two more fell ill. He had to sell the rest of his goats at a very low price.

Cyclone Amphan has rendered many others destitute like Dukhiram and Haripada. During the storm, the embankment broke and flooded at least 48 villages in Koyra. The locals are now working hard, repairing the embankment themselves and trying to block out water from entering further.