Khoyai River embankment breaks again in Habiganj, hundreds of families stranded

A section of the Khoyai River embankment in Laskarpur Union of Habiganj collapsed again on Sunday (August 23), flooding large areas and leaving hundreds of families stranded.

The embankment near Kaliganj Bazar, which had been repaired after an earlier breach, gave way around noon as the river continued to swell following heavy upstream flows. Water quickly inundated nearby homes, croplands and roads, forcing many families to move to safer areas with their belongings.

Locals said the river began rising rapidly on Saturday afternoon due to heavy upstream runoff. After the water crossed the danger level overnight, increasing pressure developed on the vulnerable embankment. Residents attempted to reinforce the section with sand and other materials, but the strong current overwhelmed their efforts.

The latest breach has renewed anger among residents, who said the same section of the embankment had collapsed about a month and a half ago, causing extensive damage. Although repair work was later launched, it was not completed on schedule.

Residents alleged that slow progress and poor-quality work left the embankment vulnerable. They said authorities had been warned that the structure could come under severe pressure during the monsoon and upstream surges, but the repair work was not completed in time.

According to the Habiganj Water Development Board, the Khoyai River at the Balla point in Chunarughat was flowing 130 centimetres above the danger level, raising concerns about further breaches along other vulnerable sections.

Habiganj Water Development Board Executive Engineer Sayedur Rahman said increased upstream flow following the opening of a sluice gate in India's Tripura state, coupled with heavy local rainfall, had contributed to the situation.

He said the repair work on the damaged section could not be completed within the scheduled time because of the rising water level, resulting in the fresh breach.

Authorities are monitoring the river and vulnerable sections of the embankment as residents call for urgent repairs, water-control measures and assistance for affected families.