Panic in Kapasia as land subsides

A stretch of land subsided in the Dasshu Narayanpur area of Kapasia upazila in Gazipur district early yesterday, creating panic among villagers. About 50 feet of the Kapasia-Sreepur road, a banana plantation and about 400 square feet of land gave way yesterday morning. As a result, road communication between Kapasia and Sreepur upazila has been cut off. In February 2003, there was a similar subsidence in the area, locals claimed. Local residents said they heard a thud around 5am. They found that a banana plantation, cropland measuring about 400 square feet and 50 feet of the Kapasia-Sreepur road beside the Shitalakkhya river had subsided. There are several houses on the southern side.

The panic-stricken villagers informed the local administration. Badal Sarker, a local businessman, and others said that around 5am they were rudely awakened by a deep, dull sound.

They also said there were two similar incidents in the past. The first subsidence occured in February 1964 and the second in February 2003.

Villagers complained that this has happened several times due to illegal sand extraction from the nearby Shitalakkhya.

The Kapasia upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), Moksedul Islam, said no casualties were reported. But he could not explain why the subsidence had occured.

It is learnt that in February 2003 after the land had caved in, the local government engineering department dumped soil on the roadside and made the land slightly elevated.

Abu Bakar Siddique, officer-in-charge of Kapasia police station, and senior officials of the Gazipur Roads and Highways  Division visited the area.

Saddam Hussain, divisional engineer of the Gazipur roads and highways department, said the reason for the subsidence will be known only after an investigation. Alternative measures are being taken to restore the road link.

Panic in Kapasia as land subsides

A stretch of land subsided in the Dasshu Narayanpur area of Kapasia upazila in Gazipur district early yesterday, creating panic among villagers. About 50 feet of the Kapasia-Sreepur road, a banana plantation and about 400 square feet of land gave way yesterday morning. As a result, road communication between Kapasia and Sreepur upazila has been cut off. In February 2003, there was a similar subsidence in the area, locals claimed. Local residents said they heard a thud around 5am. They found that a banana plantation, cropland measuring about 400 square feet and 50 feet of the Kapasia-Sreepur road beside the Shitalakkhya river had subsided. There are several houses on the southern side. The panic-stricken villagers informed the local administration. Badal Sarker, a local businessman, and others said that around 5am they were rudely awakened by a deep, dull sound. They also said there were two similar incidents in the past. The first subsidence occured in February 1964 and the second in February 2003. Villagers complained that this has happened several times due to illegal sand extraction from the nearby Shitalakkhya. The Kapasia upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), Moksedul Islam, said no casualties were reported. But he could not explain why the subsidence had occured. It is learnt that in February 2003 after the land had caved in, the local government engineering department dumped soil on the roadside and made the land slightly elevated. Abu Bakar Siddique, officer-in-charge of Kapasia police station, and senior officials of the Gazipur Roads and Highways Division visited the area. Saddam Hussain, divisional engineer of the Gazipur roads and highways department, said the reason for the subsidence will be known only after an investigation. Alternative measures are being taken to restore the road link.