Saline water from Ramnabad River enters the villages and agricultural land through the breached portion of the flood control embankment in Lalua union under Kalapa upazila of Patuakhali. Photo: Star

A flood control embankment in Charipara area under Kalapara upazila of the district collapsed in the last two days, inundating at least 300 dwelling houses and over 2000 acres of agricultural land.
Locals said at least a 300 feet area of the dyke collapsed due to high tide under the impact of full moon. Aman cultivation on over 2000 acres of land at Lebukhali, Mollakhali, Algee, Pangashia and Moricherkhali villages have become uncertain as saline water is entering the agricultural land through the breached portion.
Tidal surge from nearby Ramnabad River hits the Charipara area every year, especially during full moon and new moon, said Anis Howlader of the area.
The affected people of the villages have taken shelter on the embankment and at safer places, said Hasmon Ali Howlader.
While visiting the area yesterday, this correspondent found housewife Farida Begum cooking food by setting up an earthen oven on the dyke.
'I am cooking food for my family members as floods engulfed our house in Charipara area,” she said.
Mir Tariquzzaman Tara, chairman of Lalua Union Parishad (UP) said over 20,000 people of five unions of Kalapara upazila are badly affected by tidal surge and erosion by the Ramnabad River.
Charipara village, Government Primary Sxhool and its adjacent cyclone shelter and mosque are also under the threat of onslaught by the river, he added.
On the other hand, a fresh area of the protection dyke of Lebukhali ferry terminal on Patuakhali-Barisal highway collapsed a week ago due to tidal surge.
Patuakhali Water Development Board (WDB) and RHD sources said, concrete blocks on the southern side of the terminal have gone into the Payra River.
Md Jahirul Islam, executive engineer for Patuakhali RHD, said the entire ferry terminal is under the verge of collapse concrete blocks of the protection dyke are collapsing into the river. “We have informed the authorities concerned of the matter and urged them to take immediate steps to save the protection dyke,” the engineer said.