A culvert built over the Aymon River in Muktagachha, Mymensingh, has collapsed. The culvert, which was separated from the paved road and collapsed this Friday morning after heavy rains caused the soil on both sides to shift. This has cut off communication between at least 30,000 people from 15 villages in Muktagachha upazila and the city.
Local residents said that the Water Development Board (PAUBO) recently excavated the Aimon River flowing through Muktagachha Upazila. It has been raining continuously for two days. This has increased the flow in the river. Due to the increase in water, the soil started moving from both sides of a bridge in Palsha village of Kheruajani Union of the upazila around 9:30 am on Friday. At one point, the culvert collapsed. The culvert is known as Palsha Gahur Molla Bridge to the local residents.
The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) said that the 10-meter long and 12-foot wide box culvert was built in 2001. LGED Upazila Engineer Md. Rafiqul Islam told Prothom Alo that the Water Development Board recently excavated the river. As a result of the excavation, the soil moved from under the box culvert. It collapsed today due to heavy rains. He also said that alternative arrangements will be made using bamboo and wood to keep people’s communication normal.
Local Union Parishad member Mokhlesur Rahman told Prothom Alo that 25 to 30 thousand people from at least 15 villages including Palsha, Vitibari, Chapuria, Garbajail, Khilgati, Rambhadrapur, Baniakazi, Shibpur, Kabirpur, Itchakki use the culvert built over the Aimon River on the paved road from Vitibari to Chanderbazar in Kheruajani Union. But since the bridge collapsed, the people of the villages have lost contact with Muktagachha Upazila town.
When the matter was brought to the attention of Muktagachha UNO Md. Atiqul Islam told Prothom Alo that alternative arrangements will be made there soon to keep people’s movement normal.
Source: Prothom Alo
