[object Object]

A section of the Khowai river embankment in Habiganj Sadar upazila, Bangladesh, collapsed again yesterday, inundating at least 22 villages and impacting around 4,500 families. The breach occurred near Laskarpur, an area that had been undergoing repairs for approximately six weeks after initially being damaged on July 9.

“

If the work had been carried out properly and carefully, many people would not have been put at risk again.

Locals reported that the erosion began around 10:45 a.m. as the river swelled due to heavy rainfall and increased water flow from upstream India. Water quickly poured into nearby settlements, submerging croplands and fisheries. Villages affected include Dakshin Charhamua, Uttar Charhamua, Kaliganj, and others.

This latest breach follows a similar incident on the night of July 9, which flooded about 30 villages and affected approximately 50,000 people. Residents described extensive damage to homes, crops, and livestock from the previous event. Habiganj Water Development Board Executive Engineer Sayedur Rahman noted that the Khowai river was flowing 12 centimeters above the danger level, with rising upstream water levels increasing pressure on the embankment where repairs were still ongoing.

“

About a month and a half ago, the embankment broke at the same place, and we were flooded. We have barely recovered from that suffering, and now the same place has collapsed again.

Residents criticized the Water Development Board for the slow pace and perceived inadequacy of the repair work. Mohidur Rahman, a local resident, stated, "If the work had been carried out properly and carefully, many people would not have been put at risk again." Another resident, Sowkotul Islam, expressed frustration, saying, "We thought the authorities would properly repair the embankment this time, but the work remained incomplete for weeks." The repeated failure of the embankment has heightened fears of further flooding, with authorities monitoring the situation and preparing for potential relief and rescue operations.

“

We thought the authorities would properly repair the embankment this time, but the work remained incomplete for weeks.