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Tues, 25th Dec 2007
It Gets Worse
By UWT Representative, Yusuf Patel, South
Bangladesh
The situation is
much worse. The closer we get to the ocean, the greater the
damage. We drive hundreds of kilometers through the jungles and
rivers to deliver aid to Mirzaganj village in Gorkhali district.
We have a bumpy ride as the roads are severely damaged. Wherever
we see, trees are crippled and there is total destruction. The
village is five KM away from the ocean and words simply cannot
describe the catastrophe. The Mosque has vanished, and all but
one home have been swept away.
We meet some of
the local residents and their narratives shock us all. 70 years
old Abdul Lateef Shiddar and his wife live on high ground and
saw the waves approaching. They called out to the surrounding
people as they decided they would either die together or live
together. He says, “The water waves were very fast and there was
a light and shine in the sky”, possibly referring to lightening.
Reports suggest the speed of the waves exceeded 260 KM/H and the
water level rose by 28 feet in this village.
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Abdul Lateef & Son |
Destruction in Mirzaganj |
60 years old
Abdul Mannan, his 50 year old wife Salihah and their 12 year old
grandson were unaware of the cyclone until the tidal wave
reached their home. There was virtually no chance of them
surviving but the Almighty had decided otherwise. The water
forced them up and they clung to a tree from 9 PM for a few
hours until the water started to retreat back to the ocean.
Mr. Abdul
Mannan’s livelihood is destroyed. His fishery items, and 25,000
Taka worth vegetation has been destroyed. He is particularly
worried as his crops will take another year to yield. Both the
Ummah Welfare Trust in conjunction with Muslim Welfare Institute
have intended to provide long term income generating projects
such as fishing nets and animals along with various water,
sanitation, and house reconstruction programs. There is also a
program to amalgamate the shelter project and the mosque
reconstruction project into one by constructing a mosque on high
pillars. The mosque would play a dual role.
Residents of the
village related that bodies of two young martyred brothers were
found one mile away from the village after searching for 18
days. Nearby the village, we saw graves of the deceased martyrs
and I could not digest the image and scene of burying 35 corpses
in one day. The visit to this village was an eye opener and
reflected the peak of poverty and patience side by side. Indeed,
this cyclone is a reminder of the majesty of the almighty and
there are many lessons in the signs of the Almighty for those
who ponder.
Abdul Mannan & Wife Salihah |
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Graveyard - 35 in One Night |
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Abdul Lateef
& Son
Destruction in
Mirzaganj
Abdul Mannan & Wife Salihah
Graveyard - 35 in One Night |
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