An embankment constructed by the residents of Khulna's Koyra upazila to prevent riverbank erosion has collapsed yet again due to increased water pressure. Locals fear that vast areas of the upazila will be inundated by high tides in the Kopotakkho river if the embankment in the Charamukha isn't repaired soon.
According to Masud Rana, a local UP member, 200 metres of the embankment along the Charamukha canal in Vedkashi union have already collapsed, leaving some 15,000 people in 10 villages stranded. Besides, different species of fish, including shrimp, have been swept away, he said.
M Mashiul Abedin, a sub-assistant engineer of Satkhira Water Development Board (Division-2), said that some 2,000 people, including his men and local residents, are working to repair the broken dam. The Water Development Board has provided some sacks and bamboos for this work, he said, adding that the work at the main point will start soon.
Earlier, on July 18, around 3,000 people of South Bedkashi union built the broken 300-metre dam on their own. But after a month, the Board did not take any initiative in the issue. As a result, the ring dam broke again due to the increased water pressure, causing huge sufferings to the local residents.
END/TDM/EHM
