A fresh breach in a flood control embankment at Bichot village under Assasuni upazila in Satkhira has sparked widespread panic among residents just days before the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
The breach occurred early Friday at a point in front of the residence of one Zahur Ali Morol, located within polder 7/2 under the jurisdiction of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Satkhira Division-2.
Local authorities and residents warned that without immediate and effective intervention, the damaged section risks a total collapse into the Kholpetua River, which would lead to the inundation of the entire Anulia Union.
The latest incident has revived traumatic memories of a similar disaster on March 31 last year, coinciding with Eid day, when approximately 150 feet of the same embankment near Bichot Government Primary School gave way.
At that time, frantic efforts by villagers to construct a voluntary ring embankment failed as high tides washed away the temporary structure, flooding the locality and turning the festive occasion into a period of acute hardship.
Local residents expressed deep frustration over the recurring nature of the breaches.
Md Abu Dawood, assistant head teacher of Bichot New Model Secondary School, told reporters that more than two-thirds of the embankment had already been lost to the river by Wednesday morning due to intense tidal pressure.
"The area narrowly escaped a major catastrophe this time. We are currently attempting to contain the situation by placing soil at the breach point through community efforts," Dawood said.
He further alleged prolonged administrative negligence, claiming that despite multiple repair allocations following last year’s collapse, the rehabilitation work remains unfinished. He noted that large quantities of sand-filled geobags remain unutilized at the site while the embankment continues to erode.
Contacted, BWDB Satkhira Division-2 executive engineer Md Abdur Rahman Tazkia said that emergency response measures had been initiated.
"Geobags, georolls, and necessary manpower have been deployed to the site. Temporary efforts are underway to prevent saline water intrusion, and permanent repair work is scheduled to commence on an urgent basis from Friday," he said.
Ahsanur Rahman Rajib/MHK