Google Alert – Bangladesh Army
OUR CORRESPONDENT
COX’S BAZAR, July 27: Severe soil erosion under the impact of tidal waves has again started wrecking havoc on a three kilometre stretch of the Marine Drive Road in Teknaf section of Cox’s Bazar.
The authorities concerned said that the Marine Drive has again suffered erosion due to the impact of the low pressure created over the Bay of Bengal.
On Friday (July 25) afternoon, it was seen that the road from Baharchhara Ghat to Zero Point in Sabrang union had been eroded at more than 15 places due to the impact of tidal waves. This has increased sufferings and risks in traffic. Onslaughts of erosion have left the local residents panicky.
Several thousand acres of land are cultivable in the area and if salt water enters, it can cause major damage to the crops.
It was seen that the embankment made with geo-textile bags on the west side of Marine Drive in Fateh Aile Para area has collapsed.
In some areas, the road has broken and tidal water is entering the farmland on the east side. Locals said if the road completely breaks, there is a risk of flooding some nearby villages. Earlier, in August 2023 and May this year, erosion occurred in this part due to the influence of tidal waves. At that time, the Engineering Construction Battalion (ECB) of the army tried to prevent erosion with geo tubes. Abdul Hannan, assistant meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar office of the Meteorological Department, said that the low pressure created over the north Bay of Bengal has condensed and turned into a low pressure.
The low pressure was located east and west of Cox’s Bazar seaport. Due to this, there is a risk of one to three feet high tidal waves and gusty winds in the coastal areas. As a result, the seaports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been asked to display local warning signal number 3.
Local representatives said that after receiving the news of the erosion from the locals, the Union Parishad Chairman and the Upazila Administration were immediately informed. It is said that work will start soon to prevent erosion. Local people alleged that a major reason behind the erosion on Marine Drive is the extraction of sand from the sea to fill the space. They said that influential people are illegally extracting sand and filling land for the development of a tourism park. This is weakening the foundation of the road.
They also said that there is a rush to build hotels and motels on the eastern side of the Marine Drive. Many influential people are illegally extracting sand from the beach. Due to these reasons, the road is now breaking even when a big wave comes.
Executive Engineer Rokon Uddin Khaled Chowdhury of the Roads and Highways Department Cox’s Bazar office said that the Marine Drive road is under the supervision of the ECB of the Bangladesh Army. “I have received news of erosion in the Teknaf section. The ECB is taking necessary measures,” he added.
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