Newly renovated Beri dam collapses in Lakshmipur: risk of inundation in several villages

Isfaqul Hossain: The Wapda Beri dam in Burir Ghat area of Char Ramni Mohan Union of Laxmipur Sadar Upazila is collapsing in the tidal water of Meghna River. With the river on one side and the Wapda canal on the other side, the Beri dam is gradually collapsing due to the tidal waters of the Meghna. In this way, the local residents fear that the Beri dam will disappear into the river. On the other hand, the villagers are suffering due to waterlogging.
According to local residents, the Beri dam broke several times due to the strong tide and rainwater of the Meghnar river. In 2014, due to monsoon rains and high tides of the Meghna, the dam disappeared into the river. Later Beri Dam was built again. But the Beri dam being in the estuary of rivers and canals is being breached by high tides and rainwater. This Beri dam has also been renovated several times. Still, erosion continues. If no action is taken soon to prevent the dam from breaking, the local people fear that this fence will also disappear into the river. Due to the construction of the dam at the mouth of the river and canal, hundreds of families have been trapped in water. Crop fields are submerged in rain water. In order to get rid of these problems, the residents have demanded to protect the embankment by palasiting, sandbags or bridges.
Sources of Laxmipur Water Development Board informed that the Beri Dam was constructed under Holder 59/2 Burir Ghat Taiban project in the financial year 2015-16.
Alamgir Hossain, representative of the contractor of this project, said that the Beri dam was completed on time. However, due to the construction of the dam at the mouth of the river and canal, the dam is gradually breaking down in the tidal water. When the Beri dam collapsed due to Cyclone Rowanu, they rebuilt it with their own funds.
Laxmipur Deputy Commissioner Md. Zillur Rahman Chowdhury said, the matter is very sad. He assured to take necessary measures after discussing with the Water Development Board and the chairman of that union