Chandpur Town Protection Embankment

Meghna devours 150ft area in 2-3 hours

8 November 2009, 17:00 PM

A Correspondent, Chandpur

Workers of Bangladesh Water Development Board drop sandbags to protect Chandpur Town Protection embankment from erosion by Meghna River.Photo: STAR

About 150 feet area of Chandpur Town Protection embankment fortified by concrete blocks at Baro Station point was eroded by the Meghna yesterday. Panic has gripped several hundred people living in the embankment area as about 10,000 blocks placed on the embankment to protect it from erosion went into the mighty river. Water Development Board (WDB) has started throwing sand-filled sacks in the eroded area to protect the embankment from further erosion. But strong current in the Meghna is weakening the preventive measures. Locals said the river started eroding the embankment at 7:00am and devoured about 150 feet area within two to three hours. BIWTC Senior Deputy Director Zahirul Alam Khan said the situation is grave. He said blocks and heavy material along with sand bags have to be thrown in the eroded area to stop further erosion. Deputy Commissioner Biswas Azim Uddin and Chandpur Municipal Mayor Nasir Udddin Ahmed visited the spot. The WDB men have been asked to monitor the situation round the clock. Sand-filled bags are being thrown in the erosion-hit area. If necessary, blocks will be thrown soon, the DC told the local newsmen.