Portion of Padma dam near Rajshahi city caves in

A large portion of the Padma river embankment between Shekher Chalk Pachani Math and Panchabati I-embankment near Rajshahi city subsided on Thursday night, causing panic among locals.
More than 100 people living in its vicinity are spending time in fear as some of their houses and a road running alongside were showing cracks. 
Locals said said fissures began appearing on the road on October 24 and huge chunks of land subsided on Thursday night. cDuring a visit to the city's Shekher Chalk area yesterday morning, cracks were seen on the road and floors of several houses. The villagers were seen driving bamboo poles into ground, hoping they would firm up the embankment.
Meanwhile, several families, living in houses beside the river, face the prospect of evacuation, while some have already moved out.
For the people of Shekher Chalk living by the Padma, these are traumatic hours, as the prospect of disaster looms.
According to Rajshahi City Corporation sources, around 400 metres of a newly constructed road on the embankment guarding the town and a walkway next to it have sunk more than three feet.
Mokhlesur Rahman, executive engineer of the Rajshahi Water Development Board (RWDB), said that water had leaked through the old block of the embankment during the floods last month, making the dyke weak and vulnerable. “A char in the middle of the river is being eroded—a process that is exerting extra pressure on the left bank. The embankment was constructed in the late 90s and has not been well maintained,” he added. Rahman also said they lacked funds for embankment repairs and that it was not the right time to take up renovation work. Repairs would begin in the approaching dry season, he added.
Motia Bewa, an aged woman, said she had been woken up by a loud sound around midnight and later discovered a portion of the dyke had caved in. The cracks in her house were increasing, she added.
People living next to the affected embankment complained that the structure had not been repaired despite repeated promises by RWDB officials, ward councillors and political leaders, who visited the area several times.
Mahatab Hossain Chowdhury, councillor of Ward-23 of the RCC, said he had gone to the RWDB and spoken to the engineers many times, urging action, but his plea had apparently gone unheeded. 

Portion of Padma dam near Rajshahi city caves in

A large portion of the Padma river embankment between Shekher Chalk Pachani Math and Panchabati I-embankment near Rajshahi city subsided on Thursday night, causing panic among locals. More than 100 people living in its vicinity are spending time in fear as some of their houses and a road running alongside were showing cracks. Locals said said fissures began appearing on the road on October 24 and huge chunks of land subsided on Thursday night. cDuring a visit to the citys Shekher Chalk area yesterday morning, cracks were seen on the road and floors of several houses. The villagers were seen driving bamboo poles into ground, hoping they would firm up the embankment. Meanwhile, several families, living in houses beside the river, face the prospect of evacuation, while some have already moved out. For the people of Shekher Chalk living by the Padma, these are traumatic hours, as the prospect of disaster looms. According to Rajshahi City Corporation sources, around 400 metres of a newly constructed road on the embankment guarding the town and a walkway next to it have sunk more than three feet. Mokhlesur Rahman, executive engineer of the Rajshahi Water Development Board (RWDB), said that water had leaked through the old block of the embankment during the floods last month, making the dyke weak and vulnerable. A char in the middle of the river is being erodeda process that is exerting extra pressure on the left bank. The embankment was constructed in the late 90s and has not been well maintained, he added. Rahman also said they lacked funds for embankment repairs and that it was not the right time to take up renovation work. Repairs would begin in the approaching dry season, he added. Motia Bewa, an aged woman, said she had been woken up by a loud sound around midnight and later discovered a portion of the dyke had caved in. The cracks in her house were increasing, she added. People living next to the affected embankment complained that the structure had not been repaired despite repeated promises by RWDB officials, ward councillors and political leaders, who visited the area several times. Mahatab Hossain Chowdhury, councillor of Ward-23 of the RCC, said he had gone to the RWDB and spoken to the engineers many times, urging action, but his plea had apparently gone unheeded.