Erosion threatens power supply in Barisal divn
Tower linking 33 KV supply lines may collapse any moment
Our Correspondent, Barisal
Power supply in Barisal division is threatened due to erosion by Kirtonkhola and Sugandha rivers in Dapdapia in Barisal district.Power Development Board's tower in Dapdapia which links the 33 KV power supply lines over the rivers may collapse any moment due to erosion. During a visit to the area on Wednesday, the Sughanda was seen only about 20 yards from the tower. The tower is near the confluence of the two rivers. Local people said, in the last twenty-four hours ending Wednesday noon, the Sugangdha devoured more than half a kilometer area there. PDB's Zonal Chief Engineer A K M Shamsul Huq, Sub Asstt Engineer Shahadat Hossain and WAPDA officials visited the spot Tuesday afternoon, but no precautionary measure was taken or alternative arrangement made till filing of the report on Thursday. PDB officials said they are monitoring the situation and have manpower to take alternative steps to continue power supply in case of any damage to the 33 KV tower. WAPDA officials also said they are keenly observing the erosion and will dump boulders into the river to check the erosion. Other sources said, if the 33 KV tower collapses, power supply in Patuakhali, Bhola, Barguna and large portions of Jhalakati, Pirojpur and Barisal districts will also be disrupted. It may also cause serious accidents from live wires, they said.
|
(Left) Worried people gather at Dapdapia to see the unprecedented erosion and (right) villagers taking away trees, their last resort, as those may disappear into the river any moment. The WAPDA tower seen in the background is only 20 yards from the Sugandha river. The photos were taken on Wednesday. Photo: STAR |
