PHULBARI, KURIGRAM, July 3: A culvert on a key road in Char Gorokmondol area of Phulbari Upazila collapsed under the strong current of the Dharla River, washing away around 50 feet of the road and leaving more than 500 families virtually cut off for the past five days.
The collapse has caused severe hardship for residents of three housing settlements, particularly students, farmers, patients and daily commuters.
According to local sources, continuous rainfall and an upstream surge raised the water level of the Dharla River, creating a strong current. As floodwater entered nearby localities, the culvert gave way late Monday night under the pressure of the current. About 50 feet of the adjoining road also collapsed, leaving a large crater.
The road connects Ananda Bazar with Char Gorokmondol in Naodanga Union and is one of the area's main transport routes.
Following the collapse, all vehicular movement, including motorcycles, vans and auto-rickshaws, has been suspended.
Residents are now forced to take lengthy alternative routes, increasing both travel time and transportation costs.
Local residents Abdul Salam, Ramzan Ali and Saidul Islam said they had long been demanding the construction of a permanent embankment along the Dharla River to protect the area.
They alleged that no effective measures had been taken, allowing the heavy rainfall and upstream current to damage the culvert.
"We now have to carry our bicycles on our shoulders and wade through waist-deep water to cross," they said, urging the authorities to rebuild the road without delay.
Khair Jamal and his wife Monowara Begum said a single night of heavy rain and the upstream surge had crippled the area's communication network.
"The damaged road has made it nearly impossible to travel even in emergencies," they said.
Naodanga Union Parishad Chairman Md Hasen Ali said the matter had already been reported to the higher authorities.
He said officials would inspect the site and take steps to restore communication on an emergency basis before undertaking permanent reconstruction of the road with a new bridge.
Upazila Project Implementation Officer Siraj Doullah said there was no allocation for the project in the current fiscal year.
However, a proposal for constructing a larger bridge would be taken up if fresh funding becomes available.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Dilara Akter said the upazila engineer had been instructed to inspect the site.
"Necessary measures will be taken after the inspection to reduce the suffering of local residents," she said.
