Tidal surge breaches Hatiya dam, floods vast areas

NOAKHALI, July 19: An embankment in Hatiya Upazila of Noakhali was breached by an unusually high tidal surge, inundating vast areas and leaving local residents facing severe hardship as cropland, houses and roads went under water.

The breach occurred at Afazia area of Char Ishwar Union, allowing tidal water to flood surrounding villages.

According to local residents, no effective initiative has yet been taken to repair the damaged embankment. They also warned that embankments at several other locations in Nolchira and Sukhchar unions remain at risk of collapse.

Officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said around 20 metres of the embankment near Nolchira Ghat in Afazia area of Char Ishwar Union gave way under intense pressure from the tidal surge.
They added that three other sections of embankments, including those at Kalapara and Tufania Village in Nolchira Union, are currently in a highly vulnerable condition.

As tidal water continued to enter through the breached section, large parts of adjacent villages were submerged, while rural roads went under water, disrupting communication and daily life.

Residents alleged that they had repeatedly informed the BWDB over the past month about the deteriorating condition of the embankment, but the authorities failed to take timely and effective measures to prevent the collapse.

Jamil Ahmed Patwari, Sub-Divisional Engineer of the BWDB's Noakhali office, said preparations had already been underway to carry out permanent protection work on the embankment using large geo-tubes measuring approximately 2.5 metres and 1.25 metres.

However, the work could not begin on time because rough weather prevented a bulkhead carrying sand from reaching the site from Mirsharai in Chattogram, he said.
"As a result, the embankment collapsed before the protection work could be completed," he said.

He added that the contractor is now trying to bring sand from Ilisha in Bhola as an alternative so that repair work can begin as soon as possible.