Breaches develop in Ctg protection embankment

Hundreds of residents in the city’s Patenga coastal areas are passing their days in great fear as at least three points of the town protection embankment have developed breaches following the recent incessant heavy downpour triggered by cyclone ‘Komen’. The dwellers of Patenga fear that the embankment might get badly damaged further with the onrush of tidal surge or heavy shower. Besides, industrial settlements, including the Oil Refinery, Chittagong EPZ, Karnaphuli EPZ, Shah Amanat International Airport, and numerous other private and government establishments might suffer irreparable damage if the dyke collapses. According to the Water Development Board (WDB), some 23-km long embankment had been constructed aiming to protect the city's coastal areas including Patenga, Halishahar, Kattali and some parts of Sitakunda upazila. However, the structure built between 1965 and 1970 with mud was massively damaged during cyclones in 1991. Later, the Water Development Board renovated the embankment from 1992 to 1996.
Most of the portions of the embankment at Khejur Tola in Patenga area are earthen as the concrete blocks and stones have come apart. Contacted, Joynal Abedin, councillor of North Patenga Ward told The Independent, “We have already sent letters to the Chittagong Deputy Commissioner, city mayor and Water Development Board to take urgent steps in this regard. Khejur Tola, Charpara and Muslimbad areas of the embankment have been battered. The locals are trying to protect the embankment with sand bags and bamboo. The whole area might go under water if the embankment is not repaired on an urgent basis. The concerned authorities assured us of undertaking repair works without delay. The WDB officials said that Chittagong Development Authority will construct an outer ring road at Patenga embankment.”   “The embankment was badly damaged last year. At that time the WDB authorities carried out an emergency repair work worth in the damaged areas with sand bags. The embankment may not withhold the onrush of the tidal flows if permanent renovation to the dyke is not done,” said Abul Bashar, a resident of Khejur Tola area at Patenga. 

Breaches develop in Ctg protection embankment

Hundreds of residents in the citys Patenga coastal areas are passing their days in great fear as at least three points of the town protection embankment have developed breaches following the recent incessant heavy downpour triggered by cyclone Komen. The dwellers of Patenga fear that the embankment might get badly damaged further with the onrush of tidal surge or heavy shower. Besides, industrial settlements, including the Oil Refinery, Chittagong EPZ, Karnaphuli EPZ, Shah Amanat International Airport, and numerous other private and government establishments might suffer irreparable damage if the dyke collapses. According to the Water Development Board (WDB), some 23-km long embankment had been constructed aiming to protect the citys coastal areas including Patenga, Halishahar, Kattali and some parts of Sitakunda upazila. However, the structure built between 1965 and 1970 with mud was massively damaged during cyclones in 1991. Later, the Water Development Board renovated the embankment from 1992 to 1996. Most of the portions of the embankment at Khejur Tola in Patenga area are earthen as the concrete blocks and stones have come apart. Contacted, Joynal Abedin, councillor of North Patenga Ward told The Independent, We have already sent letters to the Chittagong Deputy Commissioner, city mayor and Water Development Board to take urgent steps in this regard. Khejur Tola, Charpara and Muslimbad areas of the embankment have been battered. The locals are trying to protect the embankment with sand bags and bamboo. The whole area might go under water if the embankment is not repaired on an urgent basis. The concerned authorities assured us of undertaking repair works without delay. The WDB officials said that Chittagong Development Authority will construct an outer ring road at Patenga embankment. The embankment was badly damaged last year. At that time the WDB authorities carried out an emergency repair work worth in the damaged areas with sand bags. The embankment may not withhold the onrush of the tidal flows if permanent renovation to the dyke is not done, said Abul Bashar, a resident of Khejur Tola area at Patenga.