A huge portion of the Padma river embankment subsided in Shekher Chalk area of Rajshahi city on Friday night unleashing panic among the dwellers.
Over a hundred people in the area are living in fear as cracks have also developed in some of their houses along the road, the dwellers said.
They said the cracks on the road started appearing on October 21, and huge chunks of land subsided on Friday night.
Around 60 meters of a newly constructed road over the town protection embankment and walkway along the road subsided __more than three feet, said Ashraful Haque, chief engineer of Rajshahi City Corporation.
During the last month's flood, water leaked through old blocks of the embankment, which made it vulnerable, said Mokhlesur Rahman, executive engineer of Rajshahi Water Development Board.
He said a char in the middle of the river was being washed away, which also created a pressure on the left bank. The embankment was constructed in the late 90s and was not maintained properly, he added.
During a visit yesterday, cracks were seen on the road and floors of several houses. The villagers were seen putting bamboo poles into ground, which they said will be able to keep the embankment stable.
“We're living in constant fear now,” said Sajeda Begum, a resident of the area.
Other residents of the area -- Idris, Kalam, Alamgir and Khokon echoed her.
“I woke up hearing a loud thud around midnight. Later I saw the portion caved in,” said Meherun Nesa, a middle-aged woman. She said the cracks in her house were increasing.
“Though the road and walkway were constructed not __more than a year ago, the walkway subsided repeatedly during its construction and the city corporation had to repair it three times,” alleged her neighbour Mohammad Idris.
Contacted, Ashraful Haque, RCC chief engineer, said they did not hear any complaint during the construction work. “As it is on the river bank, we have ensured its sustainability and durability.”
“The repair work will start in the coming dry season,” said Mokhlesur Rahman, executive engineer of Rajshahi WDB.