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Floodwaters have surged into new areas in Bangladesh's Rangpur region after a river protection dyke collapsed, leaving more than 20,000 families stranded. The breach occurred along the Dudhkumar River in Kurigram district, allowing floodwater to inundate villages and farmlands.

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Our officials are on the spot. Emergency measures are being taken to prevent the breach from widening further. We are preparing to reinforce the damaged section with bamboo piling and sand-filled geobags.

The situation worsened late Monday night when approximately 40 meters of the Dudhkumar river protection dyke gave way in the Muriarhat area due to strong currents. Rakibul Hasan, executive engineer of the Water Development Board in Kurigram, confirmed the breach and stated that emergency measures, including bamboo piling and sand-filled geobags, are being prepared to reinforce the damaged section.

Residents are facing severe hardship. Nazar Ali Sheikh, a farmer from Muriarhat village, reported that his house, farmland, and seedbeds are submerged. He expressed concern that the large amount of sand carried by the floodwater could make cultivation difficult for years. Hasmat Ali, another farmer, noted that submerged roads have forced villagers to use boats or makeshift rafts for travel, with many families surviving on dry food.

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A huge amount of sand is being carried in by the floodwater. If it settles on our farmland, cultivation will become difficult not only this year but for several years to come.

Asaduzzaman Rony, chairman of Bamandanga Union Parishad, said at least eight villages in his union were inundated following the embankment collapse. He warned of irreparable losses for farmers if the embankment is not repaired quickly. While water levels in the Teesta River have fallen below the danger mark, the suffering continues for many in the flood-affected regions.

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Many families cannot cook and are surviving on dry food. After the embankment collapsed on Monday night, water entered around 250 households. Unless the embankment is repaired quickly, farmers will suffer irreparable losses.