Chandpur town protection dam vulnerable
Panicked traders removing goods as cracks appear on embankment
Chandpur town protection embankment at Puran Bazar has been threatened due to heavy rain and tremendous pressure of water at the confluence of Meghna and Dakatia rivers.
Concrete cement blocks on a portion of the embankment has been washed away and the dam is vulnerable from Bakalipotti to Old Fire Station point, according to Water Development Board (WDB) officials here.
Cracks have appeared at several points on the embankment along Puran Bazar, creating a panic among the townspeople, locals said. Several buildings are threatened and may collapse into the river any time, they said.
Some panicked traders in some areas were seen moving goods to facer places yesterday.
Locals alleged that in last 15 years no protected work was done by the concerned authorities to save this part of the town protection embankment.
The erosion took a serious turn in last 2-3 days as concrete blocks were washed away, they said.
The depth of the river at the confluence of the two rivers in about 250 feet and the velocity of river current is tremendous, WDB Executive Engineer En Jibon Krishna Das.
Concrete blocks and sand bags are being dumped on an emergency basis, he said.
To stop further erosion an amount of Tk 8 crore is needed, he said. An urgent message has been sent to higher authorities to take immediate steps to stop the erosion, he added.
Chandpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries President Jahangir Akhand Selim has urged the government to take urgent steps of save the century old town and business center from being devoured by the mighty Meghna.
Deputy Commissioner SM Monirul Islam, Police Superintendent Obaidur Rahman Khan and Pourashava Chairman Nasir Bhuiyan visited the spot yesterday.
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