Heavy Downpour: People suffer as bridge connecting road collapses

Sudden collapse of an approach road, connecting Bhakterbari Bridge in Panchagarh's Boda upazila, due to landslide caused by flash flood has left thousands of people of five unions under three upazilas of the district in immense sufferings.  

People of five unions, which include three in Boda and one each in Sadar and Debiganj upazilas, use the bridge frequently to go to their destinations and other regular activities.  

Locals said people of almost all the villages under Debiganj upazila use the bridge, on Panchagarh-Debiganj road that connects the district town and the upazila headquarters, to go to the district town as it shortens nearly 10 kilometres journey.

Meanwhile, due to the sudden collapses of the bridge people living in the five surrounding unions are now going to their destinations for their daily works by travelling additional 10 to15 kilometres distance.

While visiting the area yesterday morning this correspondent saw all kinds of movement through the bridge has been completely snapped due to the sudden collapse of the approach road.   

Abdur Rahman of Gorerdanga village under Bangram union in Boda upazila said the approach road in the northern side of the bridge was washed away due to onrush of water caused by continuous rainfall in the last couple of days. 

Banghari Bangram Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Abul Kalam Azad said due to the sudden collapse of the bridge approach road thousands of people of nearby areas facing immense sufferings to go to their desired destinations.

Panchagarh Roads and Highways Department (RHD) Executive Engineer Mohammad Moniruzzaman said about 20-feet portion in the north side of the approach road to Bhakterbari Bridge was washed away on Friday afternoon due to huge pressure of water caused by incessant rain in the last few days.

They were taking preparation to set up a makeshift bailey bridge on the spot immediately to restore the communication for the convenience of the commuters, he added. 

The bridge on Panchagarh-Debiganj road was built in 2009-10 fiscal year while the 11-kilometre road connecting the bridge was renovated in last fiscal spending Tk 2 crore, the engineer further said, adding that after visiting the spot higher authorities of the department will decide whether the bridge will be rebuilt or renovated.

Panchagarh Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Johirul Islam said he has visited the spot and asked the officials concerned to set up a bailey bridge to restore the communication soon.