Jamuna devours another 100 metres of Sirajganj dyke
Fresh hundred metres of the Hard Point of Sirajganj Town Protection Embankment collapsed into Jamuna River early yesterday, much to the worries of the townspeople.Photo: STAR
The turbulent Jamuna devoured another 100-metre stretch of Sirajganj town protection embankment at Hard Point early yesterday. With this, the dyke caved in thrice since July 18. Water Development Board (WDB) sources said the Jamuna claimed 275-metre of the 2.5-kilometre-long embankment in a week. They said 70-metre stretch of the Hard Point in old Jail area collapsed into the river on the night of July 18, 105-metre on July 22 while 100-metre early yesterday. Local administration and Water Development Board raised red flags at the vulnerable points of the dyke. Executive Engineer of Sirajganj WDB Abdul Malek said 50,155 concrete blocks and 45,000 sand bags have been dumped on the vulnerable points to stop any further damage to the embankment. Water level in the Jamuna marked a further rise yesterday. The river was flowing six centimetres above the danger level at Sirajganj point. Built in 1997 by a South Korean company with a 100 years' guarantee, parts of the town protection embankment collapsed on July 19 in 2010 and twice in 2009. Locals brought allegation against the authorities concerned of misappropriation in the repair of the dyke. While visiting the breached portion at the hard point of Sirajganj town protection embankment on Saturday, Water Resources Minister Water Resources Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen said the two affected spots will be repaired at any cost. Steps have already been taken to prevent breach in other parts of the hard point, the minister said, adding that capital dredging in the river at Sirajganj point will be started soon. The government has spent Tk 48 crore on repair works at Hard Point of the town protection embankment this year. But locals have brought allegation against the authorities concerned of misappropriation in the repair of the dyke.
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