Jhalokathi, Aug 17 (V7N) – A severe water crisis has gripped Ward 9 of the Jhalokathi Municipality, prompting frustrated residents to stage a protest march and public demonstration on Sunday afternoon. The crisis, which locals claim has persisted for nearly two years, has now escalated to critical levels, disrupting daily life across several neighborhoods.
 
Residents from the ward initiated a protest march that began in the affected area and proceeded through key streets before concluding in front of the Jhalokathi Press Club, where a demonstration was held. Protesters demanded urgent action from the local administration to restore consistent municipal water supply.
 
Speakers at the rally included residents from the Launchghat area, such as Md. Murad Hossain, Maulana Naeem, Md. Ramzan, Alim Hawlader, and Anis Hawlader. They reported that neighborhoods including Kathpatti, Launchghat, Kolabagan, and the Municipal Ferry Ghat have been receiving little to no water from the municipal supply system, particularly during daytime hours.
 
According to the protesters, the scarcity has caused major disruptions to essential activities such as drinking, bathing, and cooking. They alleged that outdated infrastructure and dysfunctional pumps are the primary reasons behind the failure. Furthermore, they claimed that pump operators are frequently absent, and that municipal authorities are using equipment failure as a cover for administrative negligence.
 
Following the rally, demonstrators marched to the District Commissioner’s office and submitted a formal memorandum, urging immediate intervention to resolve the water crisis and ensure uninterrupted supply.
 
In response, Kamrul Hasan, Assistant Engineer of Jhalokathi Municipality in charge of the water division, stated, “We are doing our best to maintain water supply, but we are facing several limitations. However, we are hopeful that the situation in Ward 9 will improve soon.”
 
This ongoing water shortage has raised serious questions about municipal service delivery and infrastructure management in the region, with residents demanding long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.
 
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