About 50 metres of an embankment of the Jamuna River in Sirajganj caved-in yesterday morning, despite a steady flow in the river.
The Tk350cr embankment called Sirajganaj Town Protection Embankment was constructed by the Bangladesh Water Development Board in 2000.
Although erosion has occurred several times in last four years, this is the first time an erosion occurred during winter.
Md Rafiqul Islam, the executive engineer of the local Water Development Board, told the Dhaka Tribune that the lower part adjacent to the slope of the embankment got eroded suddenly.
He added that the erosion was caused by scouring during the last flood.
Deputy Commissioner Md Billal Hossain and the Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Salauddin went to visit the spot after the erosion had occured.
Locals complained to them that the irresponsible attitude and corruption of the local WDB engineers and their contractors were responsible for the situation.
The deputy commissioner assured the locals that necessary measures would be taken after proper investigation.