Who will rescue the rescue boats?
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Rescue boats are used to evacuate people stranded by floods and take them to safe shelters. Now, however, the rescue boats themselves are submerged in waist deep water and waiting to be rescued. Two multipurpose rescue boats purchased for nearly Tk 13 million have remained inoperable for three and a half years on the bank of the Teesta River in Lalmonirhat. Due to neglect and a lack of maintenance, their engines and other critical components are deteriorating while equipment is going missing. Yet every year, rising Teesta waters bring floods and riverbank erosion that devastate riverside communities. The government assets purchased to save lives during disasters are now serving no purpose.
Local residents said the two boats are submerged in waist deep water on the bank of the Teesta River in Rajpur Union under Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila. Water hyacinths have accumulated on their surfaces. After remaining unused for a long time, signs of deterioration have appeared in various parts of the boats. Their engines and other critical components are being damaged. The drivers and employees responsible for maintaining the vessels have also stopped working because they have not received their salaries. As a result, the boats are not only out of service but are also receiving no regular maintenance.
According to the District Relief and Rehabilitation Office, a budget for 18 multipurpose rescue boats was approved on December 27, 2021, for 15 flood prone districts. Later, another 36 boats were supplied to different districts on April 4, 2022. Under the project, two boats named Burimari Lalmonirhat 1 and Burimari Lalmonirhat 2 were provided to assist people living along the Teesta during disasters. Each boat cost approximately Tk 6.5 million.
Residents living along the river said the two boats operated for about a year initially. However, regular operation and maintenance were discontinued afterward. Due to the lack of arrangements for fuel, salaries for drivers and employees, and maintenance of equipment, the boats gradually became inoperable. Although they have remained on the riverbank for the past three and a half years, no effective initiative to restore them to working condition has been reported.
Local residents are frustrated that boats purchased with public funds have been left in this condition. They alleged that regular supervision and proper preservation could have prevented the boats from deteriorating so quickly. Various components are now being removed or going missing. This has not only resulted in damage to public assets but has also deprived people living along the Teesta of an opportunity to use the boats for emergency rescue operations during floods.
Saju Mia lives along the Teesta River. He said, “The government provided these two boats to help us. However, due to a lack of proper supervision, they are now deteriorating. Expensive parts, including nuts and bolts, are going missing. Although they were supposed to help people during floods, we are now receiving no benefits from them.”
He said many people become stranded when the Teesta’s water level rises. Transportation becomes difficult in many areas as communication networks break down. In such circumstances, boats are needed to rescue people affected by floods, move them to safe locations and deliver essential assistance. Had the two boats remained operational, they could have played an important role in these efforts.
The drivers also cited a shortage of funds for operating expenses as a reason the boats became inoperable. According to Alamgir Mia, the driver of the Burimari Lalmonirhat 2 boat, salaries and fuel were provided for about a year after the boats arrived. No further responsibility was taken afterward. They stopped working after going without salaries for an extended period.
Residents of flood prone areas believe that purchasing essential equipment alone is not enough to manage disasters. Keeping the equipment operational, recruiting personnel and ensuring regular maintenance are equally important. They fear that the two boats will become completely unusable if effective measures are not taken.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Abdul Matin said a letter had been sent to the ministry regarding payment of the drivers’ outstanding salaries and the preservation of the boats.
However, no specific information was available on whether the two boats would be repaired and put back into service, how their operating costs would be covered or what measures would be taken regarding the damaged components. As a result, the two vessels purchased to protect lives and property during floods remain abandoned in the river water.
Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Muha. Rashedul Islam said the boats operated properly for about a year after they were delivered but later became damaged due to technical problems. He also said a letter would be sent to the relevant authorities to preserve the boats in accordance with regulations since they were no longer in use.
