Cracks have developed at several other points in embankments of Kholpetua and Kobadak rivers in Shyamnagar, threatening more areas including shrimp farms, local people said.

Local people were trying to mend the breached portion of Kholpetua river embankment at Patakhali yesterday.

They said they approached the Water Development Board (WDB) officials several times earlier to renovate the vulnerable embankment, but to no effect.

The Khelpatua river has already devoured croplands in the area due to unabated erosion, they said.

Padmapukur Union Parishad chairman Amjadul Islam said over 100 yards of the embankment at Patakhali collapsed into the river Monday night due to high tide of the river.

Local people are trying to repair the breached portion of the embankment, he said.

Many families in the area have shifted their houses to safer places as erosion turned alarming in last 3-4 days, he said.

Cracks have developed at Chaulkhola, Chandipur, Kamalkati and Banyatala points in Kapotakha river embankment, which may breach any time, he said.

At least 12 villages and over 250 shrimp enclosures in Padmapukur union will be affected if the Kapotakha breaches its embankment, the UP chairman told this correspondent.

On contact, Satkhira WDB Executive Engineer AKM Mujibar Rahman said they can not repair the embankment due to lack of funds.

He however said, higher authorities have been informed of the situation though a fax message and funds sought to repair the embankment.