Mongla, Aug 24 (V7N) — Water tanks have been distributed among residents of Mongla to help address the shortage of safe drinking water and promote rainwater harvesting in the coastal region.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Lion Dr Sheikh Faridul Islam distributed the tanks among residents of Burirdanga Union at a programme held in the Dighraj area on Sunday morning. Later, he distributed tanks among residents of Chila, Chandpai, Sonailtala, Mithakhali and Sundarban unions at the Upazila Parishad premises.
More than 300 families from six unions received the water tanks on Sunday. The initiative is being implemented by the Department of Public Health Engineering in Mongla.
Among those present at the distribution programmes were Mongla Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sharmin Akter Sumi, Department of Public Health Engineering Sub-Assistant Engineer Sohan Ahmed, Upazila BNP President Abdul Mannan Howlader, Mongla Municipality BNP Organising Secretary Golam Nur Jony, and BNP leaders Moazzem Hossain and Mostafizur Rahman Jony.
Speaking at the programme, Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam said coastal areas, including Mongla, are facing a severe shortage of safe drinking water due to widespread salinity.
“To address the crisis and meet the demand for drinking water by storing rainwater, the distribution of water tanks among coastal communities will continue,” he said.
The minister said water tanks would be provided to every household in the coastal region.
He added that the government has also taken initiatives to re-excavate public ponds to create additional sources of safe drinking water.
“We are taking all necessary measures so that no one living in the coastal region has to suffer from a shortage of safe drinking water,” the minister said.
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