Around 70 meters of the embankment protecting the Teesta Bridge in Gangachhara upazila, Rangpur has collapsed endangering the nearby char areas.
Gangachhara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmudul Hasan Mridha explained that the collapse occurred due to the constant water flow from upstream hills.
He added that heavy rainfall, starting September 14, worsened the situation, and by Thursday morning the embankment had been severely damaged.
The collapse is putting seven chars, as well as the Teesta Bridge and the Rangpur-Lalmonirhat road, at significant risk.
Locals fear that if the embankment’s damage continues, up to 5,000 people living in these seven chars could lose their homes.
In 2018, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) had completed a second bridge over the Teesta River in Mahipur, Gangachhara, at a cost of Tk 121 crore to improve connectivity between Rangpur and Lalmonirhat.
As floodwaters recede in Lalmonirhat, residents have expressed concerns that the embankment collapsed due to substandard construction.
In August, heavy water flow from upstream caused severe erosion of the embankment’s foundation, displacing large blocks of it.
Lohmitari Union Parishad Chairman Abdullah Al Hadi stated that the upazila administration, the Water Development Board, and the LGED had been informed about the issue, and they assured urgent repair work.
“Earlier, I reported the damage to LGED and they promised repairs. But no action was taken, resulting in today’s large-scale collapse,” he said.
UNO Mahmudul Hasan Mridha has contacted the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the LGED Executive Engineer, who have assured that swift action will be taken.
