Rangpur, Sept. 18 -- Around 70 meters of the Teesta bridge protection embankment in Gangachhara upazila of Rangpur have collapsed into the river, posing a serious threat to nearby char areas.

Gangachhara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmudul Hasan Mridha said the embankment has partially collapsed due to the continuous flow of water from the upstream hills.

Heavy rainfall from September 14 intensified the damage, leading to the collapse of about 70 meters of the embankment till Thursday morning, he said.

The breach threatens seven chars along with the Teesta Bridge and the Rangpur-Lalmonirhat road, he said.

Locals feared that if the embankment collapses completely at least 5,000 people living in seven chars could become homeless.

Th...