200 houses devoured in two villages of Bhola

Erosion by the River Meghna devoured Dastagir Bazar at Char Munshi village in Daulatkhan upazila of Bhola district a few days ago. PHOTO: STAR

Over 650 acres of croplands and around 200 houses including at least four mosques and a madrasa were devoured by the mighty Meghna at Char Padma and Char Munsi villages in Daulatkhan upazila in the last twenty days.

Meanwhile, the government housing project for the poor built at a cost of Tk 20 lakh is now under threat of erosion.

Affected by full moon, Meghna became furious from September 1 and devoured over 20 to 30 ft areas everyday, said locals.

Milon Patwari of Char Munsi village said his shop along with 35 others at Dastagir Bazar and Baitul Mogbul Jame Mosque in the area went into river a few days ago.

Another resident of the same village, Shahjahan Munsi, said he lost his 16 acres of croplands due to the erosion.

Abul Khayer of Char Padma said at least 180 homesteads in the area were devoured by the river.

Fazlul Haque Saha Forkania Madrasa, Saiadatun Jame Mosque of Char Munsi and Daulatbari Jame Mosque and Noor Jame Mosque of Char Padma went into the river during the period, said Nasiruddin Nannu, chairman of Madonpur union parishad.

We informed the local Water Development Board (WDB) about the situation and urged sought immediate steps to check the erosion, he said.

Abdul Hekim, executive engineer of WDB, said they were helpless as they have nothing to do in char lands due to lack of any prior planning.