Photo: BSS

BAGERHAT, Aug 23, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam today said water tanks will be provided to every household in coastal areas to help address the shortage of safe drinking water.

He said this while distributing water tanks among residents of Burirdanga Union in the Digraj area of Mongla upazila this morning.

The state minister 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 water tanks today.

Faridul said coastal Mongla and its adjoining areas are facing a severe shortage of drinking water due to high salinity. To mitigate the crisis and meet the demand for fresh water by storing rainwater, the government is continuing to distribute water tanks among coastal residents.

He said the government has also taken initiatives to re-excavate government-owned ponds to create additional sources of fresh water.

"The government is taking all necessary measures so that no one living in coastal areas suffers from a shortage of drinking water," he added.

Upazila Executive Officer Sharmin Akhter Sumi, Public Health Engineering Department Mongla Deputy Assistant Engineer Sohan Ahmed, Upazila BNP President A. Mannan Howlader, Municipal BNP Organizing Secretary Golam Nur Joni, and BNP leaders Moazzem Hossain and Mostafizur Rahman Joni, among others, were present at the event.