Severe river erosion and damage to an 18-kilometre flood protection embankment along the Teesta, Jamuna and Brahmaputra rivers have triggered panic among thousands of families in Gaibandha, with residents fearing breaches amid continued heavy rainfall.

Locals said large and small cracks and cavities have appeared at more than 100 points along the embankment stretching from Kamarjani to Sundarganj upazila, allowing water to seep through and increasing the risk of collapse.

The embankment, constructed in 2023 under a Tk 996 crore river protection project, has also come under renewed erosion following heavy monsoon rains, according to local residents.

Many families living close to the embankment have started spending nights on higher ground, fearing that a sudden breach could inundate their homes.

Kamarjani Union Parishad Chairman Matiar Rahman alleged that the embankment was constructed using sand instead of the required soil, resulting in poor-quality work.

He claimed that irregularities during construction had weakened the structure, making it vulnerable to erosion within a short period of its completion.

Residents of several areas, including Kapasia, Sripur, Haripur, Chandipur, Belka, Kochibari, Babur Bazar, Lal Chamar, Putimari, Datter Khamar, Gachur Bazar, Joybangla and Bottola, said riverbank erosion has intensified in recent weeks.

Kapasia Union Parishad Chairman Monju Mia also alleged that substandard construction materials were used in the project, leaving nearby communities exposed to flood risks.

Executive Engineer Shariful Islam of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in Gaibandha said erosion has been reported at around 60 points along the Teesta, Jamuna and Brahmaputra riverbanks.

He also confirmed that rain-induced damage has occurred along the 18-kilometre embankment.

"Repair work has already started to prevent further erosion and restore the damaged sections of the embankment," the BWDB official said.