Comilla, August 23 — Heavy rains and landslides from the upstream Indian state of Tripura have led to the collapse of the Gomti river dam in Comilla, resulting in water inundating the locality. The dam breach occurred around 1:15 a.m. on Thursday night in the Burburia area of Shonall Union in Burichong Upazila, where a 30-foot section of the dam collapsed.

Local authorities and mosque announcements urged residents to evacuate to safer areas immediately. Many were seen fleeing their homes, carrying essential belongings and seeking refuge in safer places.

Billal Hossain, the local Union Parishad (UP) chairman, confirmed the incident and mentioned that the breach is expanding. Earlier in the evening, two army teams attempted to secure the dam, but their efforts were thwarted by local resistance, forcing them to retreat.

The collapse of the dam is expected to lead to widespread flooding in Burichong and Brahmanpara upazilas of Comilla. There is also concern that water levels in Comilla city could rise significantly.

Abdul Latif, the Supervising Engineer of the Comilla Water Development Board, stated, "The collapse of the Gomti river dam in Burburia is causing extensive flooding, affecting village after village. We have been advising locals to evacuate for several days."

According to the Comilla district administration, 4,300 people have taken shelter in 62 evacuation centers across 11 upazilas as of Thursday night. Authorities are actively broadcasting evacuation orders for areas at risk of further inundation.

District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Abed Ali reported that approximately 200,000 people in 11 upazilas are currently affected by waterlogging. With the dam collapse, there is a heightened fear that hundreds of thousands more in Burichong and Brahmanpara upazilas could be severely impacted by the floods.