Bangladesh, Aug. 16 -- The century-old Kaukapan Bazar in Hajipur Union of Kulaura Upazila, Moulvibazar, is on the verge of being swallowed by the Manu River, even before a Water Development Board (WDB) project intended to protect the market could be completed.

During the 2018 floods, around 36 shops were lost to river erosion, while the Kotarkona-Kaukapan-Tarapasha road passing through the market was also damaged. Although the WDB launched a project six years ago to protect the area, the work remains incomplete.

The eroded section currently poses a serious risk to local residents and vehicles using the road. Local residents and traders said around 50 feet of the market area was washed away by the river on June 15, 2018. Thirty-six shop...