Large cracks appear in Madhabkunda

Cracks have developed again in Madhabkunda waterfall area of Barlekha upazila under the district on Monday night, making the favorite tourist destination in the district highly risky ahead of the Eid holidays.

The incident, like the development of similar cracks in the area on May 17, 18 and 20 last year, has created fresh panic among the locals as well as visitors. 

"Around a 40-foot-long area on the road leading to Madhabkunda waterfall caved in by two feet on Monday night, following heavy rain for the last few days. The area is now highly vulnerable to serious accidents," said SM Abdullah Al Mamun, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Barlekha.

Noor Alam, a local shopkeeper, said they heard an unusual sound on Monday night and later discovered a crack in the area, which gradually expanded.

Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon's Sylhet chapter, said, "Some people cut big trees in Madhabkunda forest areas to make plantations of banana, chili etc. But such small trees and plants can't hold the soil tightly. The situation increases the possibility of repeated landslides and cracks."

Barlekha UNO SM Abdullah Al Mamun said, "To save Madhabkunda forest, a guide wall must be built in the area immediately. The forest department should take urgent action in this regard."

RFM Monirul Islam, divisional forest officer of Sylhet Forest Division, said, "Local Government Engineering Department is conducting development work in the area. The work is being interrupted due to rain. It will resume as soon as possible."