State Minister Inspects Broken Khowai River Embankment in Habiganj

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad visited the Kaliganj area within Laskarpur union under Habiganj Sadar upazila in Habiganj on 25 August to inspect the collapsed embankment of the Khowai River. The site visit follows a significant structural failure that has caused severe concern among local residents and regional authorities.

This incident marks the second time the embankment in the same area has broken within a span of just one and a half months, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in local flood defences. During his official inspection, the State Minister evaluated the extent of the damage alongside local officials from the district administration and the Water Development Board.

Addressing the broader regional implications of the disaster, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad made strong remarks regarding cross-border water management practices. Speaking from the disaster-hit location, he stated: 'We are an independent and sovereign Bangladesh. We want to maintain friendly relations with any neighbouring country. However, to maintain that friendly relationship, they cannot submerge this region by causing floods in this manner. India must act responsibly, and then our friendly relationship will become even stronger.'

In response to the urgent situation on the ground, National Parliament Whip and Habiganj-3 Member of Parliament GK Gaush issued a strict directive during the ministerial visit. He ordered that all necessary repair work on the breached embankment must be completed within the next 15 days to protect the locality from further inundation.

The Ministry of Water Resources, in coordination with the district administration and the Water Development Board, is closely monitoring the emergency repairs. Officials are mobilising resources to ensure that the reconstruction timeline set by the parliamentary whip is strictly met to safeguard the residents of Habiganj Sadar upazila.