According to Patuakhali office sources in the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), last year's flood completely damaged 22 out of 32 polders of the flood control embankment in seven upazilas.

They sent a project profile (PP) of Tk 17 crore to repair the embankment to their higher authorities in November last year. But the authorities allotted Tk 40 lakh only.

The break-up of distributed amount in seven upazilas is as follows: Tk 12 lakh to repair four polders in Galachipa upazila, Tk 16 lakh to repair seven polders of Kalapara upazila, Tk 5.50 lakh to repair two polders of Mirzaganj upazila, Tk 1.50 lakh to repair a polder in Sadar upazila, Tk 2 lakh to repair two polders in Dashmir upazila, Tk 2 lakh to repair a polder in Dumki upazila and Tk one lakh to repair a polder in Bauphal upazila.

Sources in the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) told this correspondent, if the embankment is not repaired before the rainy season, about 20,000 acres of agricultural land will be overflooded by salt water threatening 'aus' and 'aman' paddy cultivation.