Musapur Closure Dam
| Musapur Closure Dam | |
|---|---|
  Location in Bangladesh | |
| Official name | Musapur Closure |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Location | Musapur Union, Companiganj Upazila, Noakhali District |
| Coordinates | 22°46′48″N 91°21′18″E / 22.78000°N 91.35500°ECoordinates: 22°46′48″N 91°21′18″E / 22.78000°N 91.35500°E Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed. |
| Purpose | Flood control, irrigation, and coastal protection |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 2009 |
| Opening date | 2016 |
| Construction cost | ৳250 crore (approx.) |
| Owner(s) | Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment |
| Impounds | Little Feni River |
| Height | ~5 m (approx.) |
| Length | Approx. 2 km |
| Reservoir | |
| Tidal range | Affected by Bay of Bengal tidal flow |
Musapur Closure (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is a river control structure located in the Musapur Union of Companiganj Upazila, Noakhali District, Bangladesh.[1] Constructed at the estuary of the Little Feni River, the closure was built primarily for river erosion control, flood management, and water regulation.[2] Over time, it has also become a popular tourist destination due to its scenic beauty and coastal environment.[3][4]
History
Musapur Closure Dam is a kilometer‑long structure built on the Little Feni River by Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in Musapur Union, Companiganj Upazila, Noakhali District. The main goal was to keep salty tidal water out during dry months and store freshwater for irrigation and local use.[5]
Construction began in 2004–2005 and was completed in June 2016, with around 6,000 workers involved in the project.[5]
After the dam was built, a study of crop data (2011–2018) showed dramatic increases in total production in yields: Mustard, ground nuts, garlics, paddy, red gram, peas, wintry chilies, wintry vegetables, gherkins, sweet potato, spices and grass pea also rose substantially.[6]
In 2023, remote sensing was used to show that riverbank erosion reduced, the riverbed stabilized, and vegetation growth (via NDVI, LAI, EVI metrics) improved in the surrounding farmland.[7]
Construction of the Musapur Regulator and the closure dam began in 2009. The regulator, consisting of 23 vents each measuring 3.0 by 3.0 meters, was constructed on a diversion channel of the Little Feni River. Upon completion of the structure, the main river flow was redirected and sealed using the closure dam.[8]
The regulator gates were designed to control tidal inflow from the Bay of Bengal while ensuring freshwater retention during the dry season. The dam’s crest level was engineered at 8.10 meters (PWD), based on projected sea level rise, climate variability, and 25-year return period storm models. Flow simulations using the HEC-RAS hydrodynamic model indicated an average peak discharge of 104.8 cubic meters per second in August and a minimum flow of 4.9 cubic meters per second in December.[8]
The surrounding area, the Musapur Closure Dam, has gradually gained popularity as a local recreational destination, owing to its riverside setting and natural scenery. Locals often refer to it as a "Mini Kuakata and Mini Cox's Bazar," especially during weekends and holidays.[9][10]
Social and Ecological Effects
The Musapur Closure has significantly influenced both the environment and local livelihoods. By preventing saline water from entering inland areas, it has improved freshwater availability for irrigation, benefiting agriculture in surrounding unions. Remote sensing studies show reduced riverbank erosion, particularly in the lower stretches of the Little Feni River. Vegetation growth has also increased in these regions, indicating improved land productivity.[11]
2024–2025 floods
In August 2024, excessive monsoon rains, as well as upstream water flow from India, resulted in severe flooding in the Feni district of Bangladesh. On 26 August, the Musapur regulator of the Choto Feni River suffered severe strain-induced damage, resulting in the structure’s collapse. This constriction of drainage continued to persist in the low-lying areas of Companiganj, Daganbhuiyan, and Sonagazi upazilas.[12][13]
According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the collapse of the 23-vent regulator originally built between 2005 and 2009 delayed floodwater recession due to tidal inflow. As a result, thousands of residents took refuge in shelters, with several unions remaining inundated for over two weeks.[14]
Local residents and political groups later organized demonstrations demanding the urgent reconstruction of the regulator.[14] Questions sprang up about possible misappropriation of funds related to construction work, including an investigation and responsibility from BWDB. By the end of August, the number of deaths reported due to the floods stood at 28 and over 15,000 people remained dependent on emergency aid.[14][15]
Following the collapse, public protests and demands for reconstruction emerged throughout late 2024 and into 2025. On 4 May 2025, over 100 local organizations, including Feni Zila Swechasebak Paribar, organized a human chain and submitted a memorandum to the district administration demanding the immediate reconstruction of the Musapur Closure and the nearby Ballamukha embankment.[16][17] They expressed concerns over ongoing erosion and the lack of adequate water management in the region. [18][19]
References
- ↑ "মুছাপুর ক্লোজার". musapurup.noakhali.gov.bd. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ↑ "'মুছাপুর ক্লোজার' একটি স্বপ্নের বাস্তবায়ন: মন্ত্রী". Prothomalo (in Bengali). 16 April 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ↑ "একদিনে ভ্রমণের জন্য সেরা এক গন্তব্য 'মুছাপুর ক্লোজার'". jagonews24. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ↑ "মুছাপুর যেন আরেক কক্সবাজার". www.kalerkantho.com. July 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "HYDROLOGICAL AND HYDRAULIC CONSIDERATION FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF CLOSURE DAM ON LITTLE FENI RIVER". researchgate.
- ↑ "CROP PRODUCTION FLUCTUATION AND AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION: IMPACTS OF CONSTRUCTING A CLOSURE DAM". researchgate.
- ↑ "Application of Remote Sensing to Investigate the Impact of Musapur Reservoir on the Morphology of Little Feni River and Local Agricultural Production". researchgate.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "REPORT ON SONAGAZI 50 MW SOLAR POWER PLANT DESIGN REVIEW OF DYKE, SlUICE GATE ETC" (PDF). egcb.portal.gov.bd.
- ↑ নোয়াখালী, জেলা প্রতিনিধি (13 November 2022). "এক দিনে ভ্রমণের জন্য সেরা এক গন্তব্য 'মিনি কক্সবাজার'". dhakapost.com (in Bengali).
- ↑ "দক্ষিণাঞ্চলের মিনি কক্সবাজার". jagonews24.
- ↑ "WATER AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY IN MUSAPUR RESERVOIR: ANALYZING THE CURRENT SITUATION AND IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES". researchgate.net.
- ↑ "তীব্র পানির চাপে ভেঙে গেল মুছাপুর ক্লোজার স্স্নুইস গেট". jaijaidinbd.
- ↑ "নেই মুছাপুর স্লুইসগেটের অস্তিত্ব, আতঙ্কে এলাকাছাড়া স্থানীয়রা". dhakapost.com (in Bengali). 27 August 2024.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Feni flood crisis lingers as broken regulator, poor drainage blamed". bdnews24.
- ↑ "খোলা রয়েছে মুছাপুর রেগুলেটরের ২৩ গেট, দ্রুত নামছে পানি". Jugantor (in Bengali). Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ↑ "মুছাপুর ক্লোজার পুনঃনির্মাণের দাবিতে প্রেস ক্লাবে মানববন্ধন | কালবেলা". kalbela (in Bengali). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ↑ "বল্লামুখা বাঁধ ও মুছাপুর ক্লোজার নির্মাণের দাবিতে মানববন্ধন". banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 4 May 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ↑ "মুছাপুর ক্লোজার পুনঃনির্মাণের দাবিতে প্রেসক্লাবের সামনে মানববন্ধন | বাংলাদেশ". Somoy News (in Bengali). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ↑ "বল্লামুখা বাঁধ ও মুছাপুর ক্লোজার নির্মাণের দাবিতে মানববন্ধন". banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 4 May 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
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