Around 200 metres of the Brahmaputra River bank protection embankment have been eroded at four points in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram, triggering panic among residents of several nearby villages.
A fresh 35-metre section of the embankment collapsed late Thursday night between Kachkol Bazar and Putimari in the upazila.
Over the past week, cracks and erosion have appeared at three locations within a short distance of each other, leaving a 600-metre stretch of the embankment vulnerable to further damage.
The embankment previously suffered erosion in July. Water Development Board (WDB) then placed geo-bags as an emergency measure. However, significant sections have again started eroding within two months.
Following the latest incident, senior WDB officials inspected the affected areas yesterday afternoon. They assured residents that repair work would begin soon.
Locals said concrete blocks and geo-bags started sliding into the river one after another on Thursday night, causing panic in Kachkol and Putimari.
According to the WDB, erosion has affected at least 200 metres at four points along the 600-metre stretch between Kachkol Bazar and Putimari. The affected section was built on relatively weak soil and is prone to repeated erosion, officials said.
The main channel of the Brahmaputra runs close to the right bank, causing repeated cracks and erosion along the embankment, the WDB said. A report has been sent to higher authorities seeking necessary measures.
Residents said a 28-metre section near Kachkol Bazar was damaged about a week ago. Another 30-metre section near Putimari Bazar, about 600 metres away, subsequently developed cracks after geo-bags shifted. Before repairs could begin, another 35-metre section between the two locations collapsed on Thursday night.
Local resident Kabirul Islam said water levels had been rising for several days. “If immediate measures are not taken to stop the erosion, a large portion of the embankment could be washed into the river,” he said.
Kurigram WDB Executive Engineer Rakibul Hasan said cracks and erosion had appeared at four points along the 600-metre stretch. “We are assessing the situation. The exact extent of the damage will be known after the assessment,” he said.
Approval has been sought from higher authorities for the necessary repair work, he said, adding that sand-filled geo-bags would be placed as an immediate measure to prevent further erosion.
