Bhola town flooded as dam breached

The river and its branches have also flooded villages of Hizla, Muladi, Mehendiganj and Sadar upazila under Barisal District and marooned thousands of people.

Administrative and other sources said, the headquarters of the island district Bhola is seriously endangered as the river of Meghna made its way into the Town Protection Embankment after washing away certain parts of it.

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At any moment, the ring and main band of the embankment may wash away. In that position, not only the Bhola town but also the total island district would be seriously endangered, they added.

At the South Saidpur area of Daulatkhan upazila about one-kilometer long newly constructed embankment of WAPDA has been washed away by Meghna. Certain areas in Borhanuddin upazila are also endangered by the erosion.

Different socio-cultural and political organisations are regularly bringing out processions and holding rallies on the issue of the protection of Bhola town and island. Minister of Religious Affairs Mosharraf Hossain Shajahan, Water Resource Minister Major (rtd) M A Hafiz and other local leaders have emphasised on the execution of a long-term master plan to protect Bhola town and district.