Part of embankment damaged in Khulna’s Koyra

Though there is still no impact of low pressure on the coastal areas of Khulna, an embankment of Koyra upazila has been damaged due to the natural tide of the river.

Over 115 metre embankment of Khashitana village of the upazila collapsed early Thursday. 

Earlier on Monday, the embankment was damaged in Pankhali of Dacope upazila. 

Natural disasters are now a regular occurrence on the coast. But there is still no effective initiative to repair and strengthen the dam. As a result, the people who are constantly struggling with this for their livelihood are passing their lives with fear and worry, claimed the affected villagers. 

Chairman of Koyra Upazila Parishad, SM Shafiqul Islam said, over 115 meter embankment of Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) near the house of a Harun Gazi of Khasitana village in Debkashi union, was damaged at night. 

Repair work is underway on a voluntary basis, said the chairman. He urged the authorities to take necessary measures quickly.

Dhaka Tribune

Pankhali UP Chairman Sheikh Sabbir Ahmed said that when cracks were developed before breaking down of the dam, they informed the concerned authorities, but they did not come forward to take any steps. 

Sujat Karmakar, sub-divisional engineer of Water Development Board (WDB), said that sand-filled geo bags and synthetic bags are being dumped at the site of the damaged embankment in Pankhali.

Apart from this, the preparation of geo tube and soil work is also going on at that place, he said. 

Paikgacha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mintu Biswas said he had visited the damaged dam of Pankhali. 

However, the WDB started repair work after informing the matter to the Deputy Commissioner along with the instructions to the authorities concerned to repair the dam, the UNO added. 

A low pressure area has formed over Southwest Bay and adjoining area. It now lies over Southwest Bay off Srilanka coast. It is likely to intensify within the next five days. Night and day temperatures may start to fall gradually over the country, said Amirul Azad, an official of Khulna Met office. 

However, currently, it has no impact on Khulna coast, he added.