Setting a laudable example, villagers repaired the breached embankment at Khalshibunia point in Gabura union under Shyamnagar upazila on the River Kabodak through voluntary service after the Water Development Board failed to do the task.

The huge task completed by Friday as over 3,500 villagers in the affected areas irrespective of social status and affiliations, joined the work to reconstruct the embankment that collapsed on Wednesday.

At least nine villages under Gabura union in Shyamnagar upazila were flooded as water entered the areas after the embankment collapse at Khalshibunia point on Wednesday.

While visiting the area on Friday, this correspondent saw people of all classes including students, teachers, farmers and day labourers cutting earth with spades.

The area assumed a festive look with people singing modern, folk and patriotic songs.

“As the authorities failed, we sat in a meeting and decided to reconstruct the breached embankment immediately by ourselves,” said Gabura UP Chairman Lenin.