500 families under erosion threat in Sylhet

At least 500 families of Shimulkandi village under Kadimnagar union of Sylhet Sadar upazila have been passing their days in panic as erosion by the Chengerkhal River has taken an alarming turn in the area.

The local administration has not yet repaired the damaged portions of the embankment, which collapsed at two points a few days ago.

If immediate steps are not taken to repair the damaged sections, the entire embankment will be devoured by the river in the rainy season, villagers said.

During a visit yesterday, this correspondent found the residents of Shimulkandi village facing the threat of erosion as the river was flowing just below the danger mark near the embankment.

Around 60 houses have been washed away due to the collapse of the embankment, said Bashir Miah, a former union parishad (UP) member of the village. "We are afraid that our houses will also get washed away," he added.

"We could not cultivate crops last year as water entered the farmland through some breaches in the embankment, said Abdul Majid," a farmer of Shimulkandi village.

Jalal Ahmed, 45, of the village said they are guarding the embankment by turns at night.

Delwar Hossain, chairman of Khadimnagar UP, said the parishad does not have enough funds for repairing the embankment. “I have already informed the authorities concerned of the matter and sought necessary help to save the village from the onslaught of the river,” the chairman said.

Contacted, Md Sirajul Islam, executive engineer of Water Development Board, Sylhet, said he would send a letter to the higher authorities, seeking funds to repair the damaged portion of the embankment.