10 villages flooded after embankment collapse in Satkhira
housands of bighas of fishponds have been washed away, turning the villagers' Eid celebrations into joyless celebrations
At least 10 villages were flooded in Ashashuni of Satkhira today (31 March) as the embankment collapsed on Kholpetua River.
Thousands of bighas of fishponds have been washed away, turning the villagers' Eid celebrations into joyless celebrations.
At around 11:30am, a 150-foot embankment suddenly collapsed into the Kholpetua River near the house of Abdur Rahim Sardar in Bichhat village of the upazila due to the strong tide and water.
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Nazrul Islam, a retired school teacher from Bichhat village, said, "Soon after finishing our Eid prayers, we came to know that the embankment covering an area of about 150 feet from Abdur Rahim Sardar's Chingri Gher (shrimp enclosure) house had suddenly collapsed into the Kholpetua River."
"The matter was announced on the loudspeaker of the village mosque and people were asked to quickly go to the breach point. The villagers tried to build an alternative ring embankment at the breach point but failed," he added.
Locals said that water had already entered six other villages in the vicinity, including Bichhat, Ballabhpur, Nayakhali, Anulia. Water has entered the houses of these villages. Fish farms have been washed away. If the dam is not built as soon as possible, the neighbouring Khajra and Baradal unions may also be flooded.
Local Anulia UP Chairman Ruhul Kuddus said, "I immediately went to the spot after receiving the news of the embankment breach in Bichhat village. About 150 feet of the embankment has completely disappeared into the Kholpetua River.
"The matter has been reported to the Asashuni upazila nirbahi officer and the executive engineer of Satkhira Water Development Board Division-1. However, Water Development Board officials are on leave and are trying to return."
Satkhira Water Development Board Division-1 Executive Engineer Md Sakhawat Hossain said, "Upon receiving the news of the embankment breach, officials from my department were sent there. Immediate action is being taken. The matter has also been informed to the higher authorities."
