Brahmaputra dam collapse raises erosion fear at Chilmari

 
CHILMARI, KURIGRAM, July 27: A section of the Brahmaputra River's right-bank protection embankment has collapsed again in Chilmari Upazila of Kurigram, just three weeks after an earlier erosion incident, prompting emergency repair work with sand-filled geo-bags.

However, local residents alleged that the repair work is inadequate as too few geo-bags are being used, despite an allocation of nearly Tk 10.8 million for the work.

A visit to the Kachkol Soroktari area in Raniganj Union on Saturday found that around 35 metres of concrete block pitching had collapsed, damaging part of the embankment. Cracks and subsidence were also visible at seven locations along a 1.5-kilometre stretch, raising fears of fresh erosion.

According to sources, the Brahmaputra Right Bank Protection Project began in 2007. The current third phase, launched in 2019, was originally scheduled for completion in June 2022 at a cost of Tk 302.6 crore. After revision, the project cost was increased to Tk 448.31 crore and its duration extended until June 2023. In the Chilmari section, the work is being carried out jointly by Orient Trading and Builders Ltd and BJ Geotextile Ltd.

Officials said that after erosion appeared at three points in the Kachkol Soroktari area, around Tk 8.1 million was allocated for dumping 18,000 geobags. An additional 6,000 geobags were approved this month, bringing the total allocation to 24,000 geobags worth nearly Tk 10.8 million.

Residents, however, said the geobags disappear into the riverbed as soon as they are dumped. They alleged that instead of building up the base of the embankment, workers are simply placing geobags over the collapsed section, making the repairs ineffective.

Locals said thousands of villagers rushed to the site on Monday night after announcements over loudspeakers warned that the embankment had started collapsing rapidly. They spent the night placing reserve geobags in an attempt to slow the erosion.

"We stayed awake all night fearing the embankment would collapse further. When the concrete blocks started sliding, we thought nothing could save us," said 78-year-old resident Golam Hossain.

Kurigram Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md Rakibul Hasan said 24,000 geobags are currently being dumped at the site and a proposal has already been sent seeking additional allocations.