Sachchida Nanda Dey, Ashashuni (Satkhira)

A ring embankment along the Kopotakkho River in Subedkhali area of Dargahpur Union under Ashashuni upazila has collapsed, flooding around 400 bighas of fish enclosures. Locals estimate losses exceeding Tk 2 million due to the sudden inundation.

The dam  collapsed on Wednesday (May 28) noon when strong tidal currents breached the embankment, allowing river water to rush into nearby areas. As the embankment was not a permanent structure under the Water Development Board (WDB) but rather a temporary one created during river dredging, the main WDB embankment remains intact, preventing even more widespread damage.

Asaduzzaman Mukul, Acting Chairman of Dargahpur Union Parishad, said, “The temporary ring embankment constructed during river dredging gave way during the noon tide, flooding over 400 bighas of fish farms. The local fish farmers are now facing losses of at least Tk 2 million.”Local resident Rahmat Ali said, “A large section of land near my house collapsed suddenly under the pressure of the tide.

 If the breach isn’t repaired before the high tide tonight, there’s a real danger that the main WAPDA embankment could be breached too, submerging more areas of the union.”Zahirul Islam, Sub-Assistant Engineer of the Water Development Board, explained, “This was not a permanent WDB embankment. It was a ring embankment created temporarily during river dredging. We rushed to the site as soon as we received the report of the collapse and have already started taking necessary repair measures.

Ashashuni UNO Krishna Roy said, “Upon receiving the news, I immediately informed the Water Development Board and higher authorities, and visited the affected area myself. Emergency measures have already been initiated by the upazila administration. Repair work on the breached embankment is already underway.”