Dyke collapse threatens Lebukhali ferry terminal
A portion of flood control embankment collapsed in Patuakhali a few days ago threatening Lebukhali ferry terminal set up at the point of the dyke.Photo: STAR
A portion of flood control embankment at Labukhali ferry terminal has collapsed, raising fear among the people living along the embankment and the traders at the terminal of being displaced. Locals said cracks developed in the embankment on the southern side of the terminal at noon and a 20 feet stretch of the dyke collapsed at around 6:00pm on Monday. Abdul Kuddus, supervisor of Lebukhali ferry terminal, said the gangway of the ferry terminal is under threat and may be detached anytime if necessary measures to protect the dyke are not taken immediately. Road links between Patuakhali and Barisal and Kuakata and Dhaka will be snapped if ferry service comes to a halt, kuddus said. Sahidul Islam Howlader, general secretary of Jubo League Dumki upazila unit, said if the flood protection dyke collapsed to a large extent, local people, including over 100 traders, will become shelterless. Abdus Sattar Howlader, a local trader, said over a 100 feet stretch of the embankment on western side of the gangway collapsed into Paira River due to unusual high tide two years ago, but the authorities concerned are yet to repair the damaged portion. He urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to save the ferry terminal. Contacted, Md Siddiqur Rahman, executive engineer of water Development Board (WDB), Patuakhali, said they are putting concrete blocks at the damaged site to save the terminal from further collapse. “We will take permanent steps to save the ferry terminal after rainy season,” he added.
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