Rising Teesta water threatens Mahipur

The water level of the Teesta River is rising in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur, with the river flowing close to the danger mark over the past several days.

The increased flow has caused erosion at the Mahipur bridge protection embankment, raising concerns among people living along the Teesta riverbank.

Last year, nearly 150 feet of the bridge protection embankment was washed away by the river. At that time, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) constructed bamboo piling at a cost of Tk 1.4 million to protect the embankment.

However, the measure has proved ineffective, as the piling was damaged by the strong current following the recent rise in water levels.

All 44 gates of the Dalia Barrage were opened on Saturday.

Subsequently, the river flowed at 5 centimetres below the danger level, triggering erosion at the Mahipur bridge protection embankment.

Lakshmitari Union Parishad Chairman Abdullah Al Hadi said they had warned during last year’s construction that the bamboo piling would not be durable.

“The damage to the Tk 1.4 million project has now proved our concerns correct, as the piling has already collapsed and the embankment is eroding again,” he said.

Gangachara Upazila Engineer Shah Mohammad Obaidul Rahman said that an expert team from Dhaka had inspected the site last year and recommended bamboo piling, which was implemented accordingly.

He said the current erosion would be inspected and the matter reported to higher authorities.

Gangachara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jesmin Akter said she had visited the affected area and that higher authorities would be informed so that necessary measures could be taken.

Local residents fear that if immediate steps are not taken, the Teesta Bridge at Mahipur, the Rangpur-Kakina road, nearby homes and agricultural land could be at risk.

Residents Rokon, Mominur and Bulu of the Mahipur Teesta Bridge area said that the bamboo piling installed last year failed to provide a durable solution.

They added that the structure had already been damaged even before the river crossed the danger level, allowing the current to strike the embankment directly.

“If the water level rises above the danger mark, the extent of the damage can easily be imagined,” they said, urging the authorities to take immediate action to prevent further erosion.

Local residents Monowar and Habib alleged that temporary measures had been taken year after year without producing any lasting results.

They said the Teesta had rendered such efforts ineffective during every monsoon season, resulting only in a waste of public money.

They demanded the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan as a permanent solution.