Residents of villages near Bilonia town, located on the north bank of the Muhuri River, are increasingly distressed over severe waterlogging, which has intensified even before the monsoon season. Locals attribute this crisis to a one-kilometer dam allegedly constructed by Bangladesh, violating international border agreements. The dam, reportedly standing 15 to 20 feet high, has blocked natural drainage channels, leading to significant flooding in the adjacent areas.
Last night, just two hours of continuous rainfall resulted in multiple villages, including North Bilonia and Ballamukha in Sukanta Nagar panchayat, being submerged. A resident of Netaji Subhash Chandra Nagar remarked, “We never saw water levels rise this fast before,” highlighting the urgent plight of the situation. More than five hundred families have been affected, with many left stranded in their homes due to blocked drainage systems.
Local inhabitants contend that the construction of the dam has disrupted existing drainage infrastructure, worsening the flooding. “According to international rules, construction must be at least 150 yards away from the border pillar,” stated another resident. “However, this dam is located as close as 50 yards in some areas, and in certain spots, only 10 yards away, thus violating these norms.”
Residents have repeatedly reached out to authorities at various levels, including the South Tripura district administration and the central government, yet they reported no tangible actions taken to address the issue. A villager expressed frustration, “We have informed the relevant authorities several times, but no concrete steps have been taken.”
The flooding has already devastated agricultural land, submerged ponds, and jeopardized the livelihoods of local farmers. With the monsoon fast approaching, residents fear the situation could deteriorate significantly. A local expert cautioned, “If nothing is done soon, this could lead to a major environmental and humanitarian disaster.”
In light of the ongoing crisis, villagers are demanding immediate intervention. They seek the reopening of the blocked drainage system on the Bangladesh side or the construction of a new drainage solution near the IC Nagar camp on Indian territory. Currently, officials have yet to respond effectively, leaving many affected families in a state of uncertainty.
Original Source: https://tripurachronicle.in/local-news/border-villages-fear-waterlogging-as-bangladeshs-dam-blocks-drainage/
Category: Local News
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Publish Date: 2025-05-18 22:02:00
