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River protection embankment collapses

Kamal Mridha . Rajshahi
20 Oct 2021 00:00:00 | Update: 20 Oct 2021 01:41:37
River protection embankment collapses
90 metres of river protection embankment collapses in Kazipur area of Sirajganj– Kamal Mridha

A large portion of the Jamuna River protection embankment in Sirajganj has collapsed yet again.

At least 90 metres of the dam – located in the Maijbari union under Kazipur area – went into the river gorge around 2am on Monday, said local union parishad member Abdus Salam.

The incident took place 100 metres downstream of the Dhekuria-Bilchola Zero point. Moreover, 30 metres of the embankment had collapsed and disappeared in the river just a few days ago. The dam had become damaged in the same place last year too.

During the night, local people worked together to shift around ten homes and three shops from the area.

Providing more details, UP Member Abdus Salam said, “The width of the river has decreased about 300 metres at the point and huge river islands formed on the east side. Strong currents have appeared near the right bank of the embankment due to this.

“The soil has shifted from the bottom of the geo-bag, causing the protection dam to collapse.”

He added that if the river island is dredged and the water flow is widened, the current will not be able to hit the shore directly. “Such moves will reduce the possibility of the arrow protection dam getting ruptured.” Khalilur Rahman, a local resident, said he woke up to a loud noise at night. Then he went outside and saw the collapsing dam.

“With the help of some local people, I moved my three houses and a shop to another place. Besides, the locals have also removed eight more houses to another place,” he added.

Chan Banu, a victim of the dam collapse, said after seeing the incident, she went from house to house at night, called people and helped to remove their houses. She has now taken shelter on a relatively safe area of the embankment.

Haider Ali, deputy assistant engineer of the Sirajganj Water Development Board, said a severe whirlpool had formed at the bottom of the river due to depletion of water in the Jamuna, which caused erosion under the embankment’s geo-bags and boulders.

“There is nothing to fear. Steps have been taken to stop the erosion since Monday night by dumping 1,000 geo-bags in the affected area,” he added.

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