Panic gripped Kailashahar subdivision of Unakoti district on Saturday after a section of the Manu River embankment near the India-Bangladesh international border at the Zero Point in Latiapura village began to erode, raising fears of a major flood.
The embankment, located along the riverbank across the international border, reportedly started giving way after the Manu River receded from above-danger levels following three days of severe flooding. News of the breach quickly spread on social media, triggering widespread concern among residents.
The district administration immediately launched emergency measures. District Magistrate(Unakoti) Megha Jain, accompanied by two Additional District Magistrates, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), three Deputy Magistrates, Government Pleader Sandeep Debroy, the Executive Engineer of the Flood Control Department, the Additional SDM, and officials from various line departments, visited the site to assess the situation.
According to officials, the Executive Engineer of the Flood Control Department was instructed to begin emergency reinforcement of the embankment by dumping soil. However, the operation initially faced logistical challenges as the damaged stretch had become too unstable for heavy vehicles to pass.
Since the embankment lies adjacent to the international border, authorities required permission to temporarily cut a section of the border fencing to allow construction vehicles access. Following discussions with higher authorities, the necessary approval was obtained, enabling the reinforcement work to commence. During the operation, there was initial resistance from the Bangladesh border guards from across the river, but the issue was subsequently resolved, allowing the work to continue.
Officials are racing against time to reinforce nearly 300 metres of the vulnerable embankment. Authorities fear that if the work is not completed by Saturday night, large parts of Kailashahar subdivision could face severe flooding.
Government Pleader Sandeep Debroy confirmed that emergency soil-filling work was progressing at full pace to strengthen the weakened embankment near the Zero Point.
The incident has also revived criticism over the condition of the embankment. Local residents alleged that despite repeated warnings about its deteriorating state, no permanent repair work had been undertaken by the Flood Control Department. On Friday, Unakoti District Congress president Mohammad Badruzzaman had also raised concerns over the embankment, accusing the department of ignoring repeated requests from the local Gram Panchayat to repair the structure.
Residents expressed the view that timely restoration of the embankment could have prevented the present crisis. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as emergency reinforcement efforts remain underway.