A spar dam protecting the left bank of the river Teesta has collapsed in Ulipur upazila of Kurigram district.
Residents of the upazila are panicking as the collapse has occurred across about 15 metres in front of the spar dam in Char Bazra area under Bazra Union of the upazila.
The Water Development Board has made all preparations to drop geo bags filled with sand to prevent the dam from collapsing.
According to the Water Development Board, the spar dam protecting the left bank of the Teesta River in Char Bazra area of Ulipur upazila has collapsed in about 15 metres due to the decrease in the Teesta River water.
Sources said the 200-metre-long flood control dam was constructed in Char Bazra area under Bazra Union of the upazila in the fiscal year 2015-2016 at a cost of Tk 5.71 crore to protect the left bank of the Teesta River. Construction started in November 2016. After the end of construction work in June 2017, it has gradually turned into a tourist hub. Hundreds of men and women of different ages are constantly gathering around the dam.
Talking to many visitors, it is known that even if there is nothing to see, people's hearts are touched in the afternoon and at dusk. The unique scenery of nature gradually captivates them. So, they come to visit with their families. If the dam breaks, this place of entertainment for the people of the region will be lost. Nature lovers will be deprived of a wonderful view of nature.
Mahbubar Rahman, 43, a farmer of the area, said due to the construction of the dam, the residents of the area have been saved from the erosion of the left bank of the Teesta River. They are afraid of collapse of the dam. If the dam collapses, then the local people will be destitute due to river erosion and flooding.
Manwara Begum, 45, Altaf Hossain, 50, and Munabbar Mia, 60, who have taken shelter next to the dam, said the local people have benefited a lot from the construction of the dam. If the dam is not protected, Char Bazra High School, Char Bazra Jame Masjid, Bazra Union Parishad office along with Kashim Bazar, Char Bazra, Purbo Bazra, Lockyarpar and Pashchim Bazra areas will be at risk of river erosion. A large amount of arable land, settlements and structures may be lost in the river.
Rakibul Hasan, executive engineer of Kurigram Water Development Board, said, “I visited the place after receiving information about the collapse of the dam. Subject to the permission of the higher authorities, the work of dumping geo bags filled with sand to prevent erosion on an urgent basis will be started from Saturday.”
