BADC embankment collapses flooding 60 acres cropland in Brahmanbaria
More than 100 farmers have been affected due to the collapse
An embankment of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) has collapsed in Ashuganj upazila, submerging 60 acres of cropland in the adjacent area.
More than 100 farmers have been affected due to the collapse on Tuesday afternoon near Sohagpur area along the Dhaka-Sylhet highway.
According to locals, work on the highway between Ashuganj river port to Akhaura land port is going on to upgrade it to four lanes. For this, the canal along the highway is being filled up at some points.
As a result, the width of the canal, which was earlier 30-40 feet has now shrunk to 4-5 feet at some points, putting an extra pressure of water on the embankment resulting in the collapse, they added.
Jamal Chowdhury, an affected farmer, said his crops and fish worth several lakh taka have been washed away. He sought compensation from the government.
Jamal said he will have to live under the open sky with his family if he does not get compensation.
Md Khalilur Rahman, BADC assistant engineer of Brahmanbaria, said the main sluice gate has been closed immediately after receiving the news of the collapse. The repair on the embankment has already started and will be finished by tomorrow.