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POST TIME: 18 June, 2015 00:00 00 AM / LAST MODIFIED: 18 June, 2015 12:28:45 AM
Dams on Muhuri, Kahua breached in places
OUR CORRESPONDENT

Dams on Muhuri, Kahua breached in places

At least 30 points on the flood protection embankments of the rivers Muhuri and Kahua in Fulgzai upazila of Feni are risky, according to the sources in the Water Development Board (WDB).
Sources in the WDB, Feni said a demand of Tk 98 lakh has been placed for the repair of the 30 danger points in three upazilas of the district.
WDB constructed 195 kilometres long
embankment on the Muhuri River during the fiscal year 2004-2005 but due to fund crisis the repair work on the 30 vulnerable points is yet to start, said the sources.  
Member of Fulgazi union Rahimullah said torrential rains and hilly water enters from the breaches of the embankment every year and inundates several villages.  
Last year, a vast area of Fulgazi, Parshurm and Chhagalnaiya were submerged due to three times floods and caused cracks on the dam. Nearly 50 villages including houses, bridges, culvert, fish enclosures, cultivable land, roads and business establishments were washed away due to floods.
Now, the riverside areas in three upazilas of Feni are facing serious threat of erosion.
Locals said the WDB in Feni detected most of the 30 points risky but could not start the repair work due to lack of funds.
They, however, alleged that due to the irregularities of the WDB, cracks developed causing the onrush of hilly water in Dultapur, Fulgazi, Munshirhat, Chhagalnaiya, Parshurm upazilas.
Deputy director of the Department of Agriculture Extension Abdul Motin said the three times floods last year caused loss of  nearly Tk 40 to 45 crore as Aman and standing crops were damaged in the flood water. “This year, we fear of the same situation,” he added.  
Executive engineer of WDB in Feni Ramjan Ali Pramanik said they sent a written proposal to the concerned ministry.
“We cannot start the repair work due to shortage of fund and rains. We are yet to get permits from the authorities concerned,” he added.