Panic has gripped the residents of Tangail’s Bhuapur, as Jamuna River erosion already claimed houses, croplands, roads and other establishment in several areas of the upazila.
Geo bags placed by Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) to protect the embankment has also eroded. The sudden intense erosion has left many families in the area destitute.
The water level of the river is rising at an alarming rate due to monsoon rain and the onrush of upstream currents causing erosion and flooding. The low-lying areas have already been flooded.
Flood in agricultural lands including sesame and jute crops has the farmers worried about facing severe losses.
Erosion has mostly occurred in Gobindashi, Koshtapara, Valkutia, Chituliapara, Khanurbari, Konabari, Matikata, Sirajkandi and Sarpalshia areas of the upazila along the banks of Jamuna.
Locals allege that sand dredging with excavators near the bank during the dry season is the main cause of river bank erosion. According to local sources, erosion has become common in the area during the monsoon as it devours houses, roads, markets, agricultural lands, educational and other institutes.
Zilkad Ali of Chituliapara village said he lost his house and the small amount of land he owned was devoured by the river.
“My family became homeless a few years back. And now erosion has taken the last place I was staying at. I have now lost everything and do not know what to do,” he said.
Another local who lost his home to the river, Jamal Uddin said river erosion is a common occurrence in the area.
“Many establishments by the bank have been eroded in the river. Despite telling the local public representatives, they are not taking effective action. In the last few days, around 15-20 houses have been eroded in this area,” he added.
Gobindashi UP Chairman Dulal Hossain Chakdar said some 15-20 houses in Chituliapara were eroded last Wednesday night.
“The victims are destitute. If effective measures are not taken to prevent rapid erosion, half a hundred more houses and buildings may be subjected to erosion,” he added.
In this regard, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Belal Hossain said, “Severe erosion has occurred in various areas of the area including Gobindashi, Chituliapara, Koshtapara, Khanurbari and Patithapara in the upazila for the past few days due to the increase in water in the Jamuna River. The related authorities and BWDB has been informed on this matter.”
Tangail BWDB Executive Engineer Md Sazzad Hossain said plans have been undertaken to build a permanent embankment along the left bank of Jamuna to prevent erosion.
“We have visited the erosion-affected places. The related higher authorities have been informed to take necessary measures to protect people’s lives and property from erosion,” he said.
