A flood control embankment on the Dudhkumar River in Nageshwari upazila breached on Monday that left some 20 villages marooned in Kurigram.
The breach occurred in Muriarhat area after a section of the embankment, weakened by erosion, collapsed on Sunday afternoon. As a result, about 20 villages were inundated in Bamandanga union of the upazila, leaving thousands of people stranded.
Local people said cracks appeared on the embankment after several days of continuous rainfall, but no repair work was carried out. The damaged section eventually gave way, sending floodwater into the low-lying villages.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said the rising waters already inundated 204 hectares of cropland in Kurigram Sadar, Nageshwari, Bhurungamari and Roumari upazilas. The affected land included seedbeds, jute fields and vegetable farms.
The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials said water levels in all the major rivers in Kurigram have been rising following days of heavy rainfall and upstream surge.
By Monday afternoon, the Dudhkumar River was flowing 23 centimetres (cm) above the danger level at the Pateshwari point. The Teesta River was flowing 2 cm below the danger level at the Kaunia point.
Besides, the Dharla River was flowing 48 cm below the danger level at the Kurigram point, while the Brahmaputra River remained 85 cm below the danger mark at the Nunkhawa point and 67 centimetres below at the Chilmari point.
The local people of Bamandanga union said water entered into the villages both through the breached embankment and by overtopping several sections of the flood protection structure. Some 20 villages under wards 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the union went under water.
BWDB executive engineer Rakibul Hasan said water entered into nearby localities through a submerged low-lying road in Bamandanga union. Emergency measures were initiated to contain the flooding. Geo-bags would be dumped at vulnerable points to prevent further inundation.
Nageshwari UNO H M Khodadad Hossain said the local administration informed the BWDB immediately after receiving report of the embankment breach. The damaged section would be repaired on an emergency basis.
"We are monitoring the flood situation round the clock. Kurigram district administration has taken preparations to provide emergency assistance, if the situation deteriorates."
Tk 200,000 had been allocated for emergency relief and 1,100 packets of dry food had been kept ready for distribution among the affected families. In addition, 1,000 geo-bags had been stored in each upazila to tackle river erosion and embankment collapse.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
