With the rise of water level, the erosion by the river Teesta has taken a devastating turn, devouring a large portion of the Teesta dyke at Soudpara Chilakhal area under Gangachara upazila in the district during the last few days.
According to sources, water level of Teesta has risen alarmingly due to on rush of water from the upstream during last four days as result breaches developed at 500 feet portion of the embankment, creating panic among the people of the area.
Sources said, abnormal rise in water level in the river caused damaged to the dyke. Locals are trying voluntarily to protect the dyke from further erosion by putting bamboo and sandbags. A part of the embankment also went into the river during last year’s flood, but locals saved it from further collapse by putting sand bags in the breached portion.
Locals alleged that the dyke collapsed as the contractor engaged by Water Development Board (WDB) last year did not repair the breached portion before rainy season. The contractor was waiting for further damage to the embankment so that he could demand more allocation of fund against the work, they added.
Officials of Water Development Board (WDB) visited the affected area but are yet to take necessary steps in this regard, locals further alleged.
If immediate steps are not taken a huge quantity of crop lands, houses, educational institution and local union parishad building may go under water soon, locals apprehended.
People of the area also held the officials of Rangpur Water Development Board liable for collapse of the embankment. They are not at all serious about protection of the embankment from river erosion, the villagers alleged.
WDB sources said, higher authority has been informed of the matter. Repair work of the dyke is yet to start owing to lack of required fund, sources added.
