UNB, Khulna: Vast low-lying areas in Dacope upazila of Khulna have been flooded after a 100-metre stretch of an embankment on the Dhaki River collapsed early Wednesday, allowing tidal waters to rush in and inundate nearby villages, triggering panic among local residents.
The embankment breach occurred near Hari Mandir, west of Batbunia Bazar under Ward 7 of Tildanga Union in Polder No. 31, as the Dhaki River devoured the 100-metre section during the night. The collapse caused tidal water to enter surrounding areas, submerging over a hundred homes and vast tracts of farmland.
When this correspondent visited the area on Wednesday, local residents were seen moving their houses and belongings to safer places to protect them from further damage.
Authorities have yet to plug the breach, and tidal water continues to flow into the locality through the damaged portion of the embankment.
Locals said the structure had long been weakened by repeated natural disasters, including Cyclone Amphan. Nearly one kilometre of the embankment around Batbunia Bazar remains at high risk, they added.
Earlier, the Water Development Board (WDB) had assigned contractor firm M/S Matin Enterprise to repair the embankment, but the work faced obstacles as several landowners reportedly refused to allow the use of their land or soil for constructing a substitute embankment.
Tildanga Union Parishad Chairman Gazi Jalal Uddin said efforts to reinforce the embankment will begin once the water recedes. “Sand-filled geo-bags and tube bags have already been placed at the breach site,” he said.
Asked about landowners’ alleged resistance, he said he was not aware of the issue.
Md Ashraful Alam, Executive Engineer of the WDB, said repair work is ongoing at several vulnerable points in Polder No. 31.
“Once the water level decreases, manpower and equipment will be mobilised to restore the embankment in Batbunia,” he said, acknowledging that some farmers have resisted soil collection efforts.
Meanwhile, a team from the Bangladesh Army, along with Dacope Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Asmat Hossain and Officer-in-Charge of Dacope Police Station Sirajul Islam, visited the site and are assisting in constructing a temporary embankment.
The UNO also distributed dry food packets among around 50 families affected by the flooding.
