Second Teesta Bridge protection dam collapses triggering erosion threat

 A significant portion of the bridge protection embankment on the western side the second Teesta Bridge at Mahipur in Lakkhitari union of Gangachara upazila under Rangpur district has collapsed, triggering risk of erosion for different adjoining villages.

As a result, with the rise in water level of the Teesta River for the past several days, around 1,250 families in three nearby villages, including the communication road in the Rangpur - Lalmonirhat region, are facing severe erosion threat.

Locals alleged that the bridge protection dam sustained damage during the last two floods, but the authorities did not take any measures to repair it.

So this time, as soon as the water level of the Teesta River has risen, blocks from about 60 metres of the bridge protection dam have already moved away due to severe blow of the stream, creating a big hole there.

Visiting the affected area on Friday, the FE correspondent found that rainwater and the water coming from the upstream were making the flow of the Teesta River stronger.

As a result, strong currents were hitting various parts of the approximately 900 metre-long bridge protection dam on the western side of the second Teesta Bridge. The blocks were becoming loose as the soil beneath the dam was being washed away. Currently, the remaining blocks are also about to be lost.

Locals fear if urgent steps are not taken, the entire dam will collapse, severely damaging the bridge and road connectivity between Rangpur and Lalmonirhat districts.

Expressing deep concern, Sadhin, a resident of Mahipur area of Gangachara upazila, told the FE, as the authorities concerned did not take necessary steps to repair the embankment earlier, the situation has become alarming at present, leaving them severely vulnerable to river erosion.

Another local named Md Aminul Islam (70) in Lakkhitari area of Gangachara upazila said, "Breaking down of blocks from the Teesta bridge protection dyke has started due to increase in the water level. If the situation continues for long, the dyke will entirely collapse. Consequently, many houses and crop lands will go under river water."

Moreover, road connectivity between Rangpur and Lalmonirhat may seriously be affected, he apprehended.

According to sources, in 2018, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) constructed the second bridge over the Teesta River at Mahipur in Gangachara at a cost of about Tk1.21 billion (Tk 121 crore).

The bridge has facilitated road communication between Rangpur and Lalmonirhat districts. But if the current situation is not brought under control, the bridge as well as adjacent roads will be at serious risks, the sources added.

Lakkhitari Union Parishad Chairman Abdullah Al Hadi said, "If the dyke completely breaks down, Teesta water will directly hit the Rangpur-Lalmonirhat road connectivity. Around three million people in the two districts will be cut off from communication. In addition, more than 1,200 families in three nearby villages will be directly affected."

He urged the authorities concerned to take necessary steps immediately to protect the embankment from extinction.

Meanwhile, LGED, Rangpur executive engineer Md Musa while visiting the affected site of the second Teesta Bridge protection dyke on Friday and assured the locals that necessary steps would be taken to repair the collapsed portion of the embankment and dump sand-filled geo-bags to prevent river erosion as soon as possible.

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