Home ›› 16 May 2023 ›› Nation
Roads, houses, establishments and farmlands are being devoured by sudden erosion in Tangail’s Dhuburia union of Nagarpur upazila by the Jamuna River.
The sudden intense erosion has left many families in the area destitute. Many roads, culverts, houses and croplands have already been lost in the river in the last two weeks.
Locals estimate about 200 residences were lost since late last month. An educational institution is also currently under threat. The locals allege that local public representatives or government officials have not taken any steps in this situation.
Shamsu Molla of Balrampur village in the union is currently busy harvesting his half-ripened paddy with the help of his family.
“Last year I lost my home and 10 bighas of cropland to the river. This year I leased seven bighas of land and cultivated paddy but four bighas of my cultivated land went into the river in the last four days,” he said.
Samsu’s wife said, “I am utterly lost. I do not know what to do. We lost everything last year and this year we are also facing erosion like this. We currently live by the primary school but it is also under threat of erosion.”
Balrampur Government Primary School on the banks of the river is currently at high risk of being eroded away if no immediate action is taken. Locals of the village are evacuating their houses to save themselves from the erosion.
It is unusual for river erosion to occur during the dry season in the Bengali month of Baishakh. Erosions are common in the area during the flash floods of monsoon.
Farmers Mir Sanwar Hossain and Mir Moazzem Hossain said they lost their houses to the sudden erosion of the Jamuna River.
“We do not have any other source of income than farming. I do not know what to do to sustain my family now that we have lost everything. We want housing accommodation from the government,” said Sanwar.
Locals Rashida Akhter said erosion occurred in the area last year also. And this year it hit even before monsoon.
“Last year we lost all our farmlands and only had the house left. This year, I am about to lose that too. The government should compensate those who lost their houses to erosion,” said Md Zobair Hossain.
Local trader Md Sajdul Aslam lost his home to the river last year and built another about two km away which made commuting to the school difficult for his children.
“The market is also under the threat of erosion. My shop there is my only source of income. The government should build a permanent embankment so we do not have to live with this constant threat of losing everything,” he said.
Regarding the river erosion, Balrampur Government Primary School assistant teacher Monirul Islam said the erosion has become so pronounced within the past few days.
“We are afraid that the school may be completely lost to the river. This will severely hamper the children’s education in the area. Our demand is to take quick measures to prevent river erosion to protect the school,” he said.
Dhubaria Union Parishad Chairman Shafiqur Rahman Shakil said, “I know the local primary school is currently facing the threats of river erosion. The Water Development Board will be informed to protect the school.”
In this regard, the Executive Engineer of Tangail Water Development Board Md Sajjad Hossain said erosion is taking place along the left bank of Jamuna River on an area of about seven kilometres.
“A field survey is being carried out to verify the feasibility of constructing a permanent embankment here. A proposal will be forwarded to the higher authorities soon,” he said, adding that geo bags will be placed on an urgent basis to protect markets and educational institutions from erosion.
