Thousands of people are spending sleepless nights in fear of the Char Baliatoli embankment breaching in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali. As nearly 90 percent of the main embankment, including the river site, has disappeared into the riverbed, there is a fear of flooding throughout the village.
Locals say they are constantly in fear of the dam. The dam could burst at any time, flooding villages after villages. This is causing concern for thousands of people's homes, rice fields, and livestock.
Md. Habib Biswas, Md. Jamal Hossain and Abu Sardar of Char Baliatoli village said, 'I can't sleep at night. I'm afraid that the dam will break and water will enter at any time. I have to live in this fear every day. Not only our homes, but our agricultural land and livestock are also at risk. I'm more afraid for my children - because even traveling to school has become unsafe. Our sons and daughters are not able to go to school regularly. They are falling behind in their studies. Even if they get sick, there is a fear of going out for treatment. It's as if we are completely blocked.'
Locals say, '90 percent of the geo bags on the Charbaliatali embankment have been washed away. The intensity of erosion on the riverbank has increased due to heavy rains and low pressure for the past month. A permanent solution has become more urgent than temporary repairs.'
All villagers demand that a sustainable dam be built quickly to ensure the security of their lives and livelihoods.
Md. Shah Alam Bhuiyan, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board, Kalapara, told The Country Today, the west bank of the river is naturally prone to erosion. Although repairs were made at Karamjatala, they could not survive. Plans are being made to repair Debpur and Goyatala, efforts are being made to prevent new erosion at Charbaliatala, and tidal surges will be prevented by closing the sluice gates.
