The only paved road on Dhulchar, an isolated island union in Charfasson upazila was damaged by Cyclone `Shakti` on May 29 has still not been repaired.

A month has passed and this union cut off from the mainland and situated amidst the Meghna River, now has no other concrete roads. As a result, local residents are facing immense hardship due to the broken road.

Locals report that the damaged road was the sole means of travel and communication within the union. Now, they are forced to use the road at great risk.

Upon visiting the site, it was observed that on May 29, due to the impact of a low-pressure system, unusually high tides caused Meghna River water to inundate various parts of Dhulchar union, as there was no embankment.

The strong currents severely damaged nearly two kilometers of the brick road from the wooden bridge in the Majher Char canal area to Char Tarua Sea Beach. In some places, large potholes have formed, while in others, more than half of the road`s bricks have been scattered by the water`s flow, rendering those sections impassable.

Md. Yusuf Farazi and Md. Ismail Mia, residents of Majher Char in Dhulchar union said that the only paved road in Dhulchar Union was this brick road. With its destruction by the low-pressure system`s currents, traveling from Majher Char Bazar to Tarua has become extremely difficult.

Md. Habibur Islam and Koysar Mia, residents of Char Tarua Sea Beach area mentioned that there is no market in Tarua. They have to go to Majher Char or Ananda Bazar for shopping. Previously, they could quickly go by motorcycle and return home with their groceries.

However, with the road broken, motorcycles cannot pass, forcing them to walk nearly two kilometers with rice, lentils, and other daily necessities, causing immense suffering. They added that while daytime travel is hard, nighttime travel in the dark is even more frightening and difficult due to the lack of electricity and streetlights.

Asma Begum, Mitu Akter and Jannat Begum, residents of Tarua said, "Men can walk, but it`s very difficult for us women to travel on foot. People in the city cannot imagine the extent of suffering faced by women in Dhulchar villages. There was only one brick road and that too is broken. But there`s no sign of repair even after all this time. We feel deprived despite living in a union of this country. We request immediate road repairs."

They also highlighted, "Our children go to school and madrasa but now they have to walk due to the broken road."

Md. Alauddin and Sobuj Mia, motorcycle drivers in Dhulchar union said that they earn their livelihood by driving motorcycles in Dhulchar. Previously, they would make about 30 to 40 round trips daily from Ananda Bazar to Tarua, carrying hundreds of passengers. Now, due to the broken road, they cannot operate.

Charfasson Upazila Disaster Management Directorate Project Implementation Officer G M Waliul Islam said that around 2023, a 4-kilometer HBB (brick-soling) road was constructed in Dhulchar union under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief at a cost of nearly TK 4 crore. That brick road was damaged by Cyclone Remal. This time, the late May low-pressure system`s high tides caused further significant damage.

He added, "We have sent letters to various departments for the repair of the road. We will be able to repair it once the allocation arrives."

However, he could not specify when the repair work would commence.