Effect of Jamuna Erosion: Two unions shrinking fast
Solimabad and Doptior unions under Nagarpur upazila of Tangail are gradually shrinking every year due to erosion by the Jamuna river.
Thousands of dwellings, vast tracts of croplands and numerous establishments including educational institutions were already devoured by the river in the last one decade, locals said.
Many people have been made homeless during the period due to erosion by the river, they said.
Over 200 dwelling houses, vast tracks of croplands and two primary schools were devoured by the river only in Solimabad union in July this year.
During a visit to the area last year, the deputy minister of water resources ministry as well as local lawmaker had assured locals of taking immediate steps to check the erosion but nothing was done in this regard later, said Mohammad Ali, a resident of Solimabad.
With floodwater receding, the river started devouring houses, croplands and different other structures, said another resident Motiur Rahman of Doptior.
The both affected farmers expressed their frustration saying that the river is approaching towards their homesteads and they are seeing no hope to survive.
Ram Krishna Saha, a rights activist in Nagarpur, said numerous dwelling houses, a primary school and an ancient market in Doptior union are facing erosion threat.
He added that many erosion-hit people have taken shelter on the school. If the school goes into the river, the erosion victims will lose the temporary shelter too.
Although the Water Development Board (WDB) has taken a project to construct embankment in Sadar upazila of Tangail and Chowhali upazila in Sirajganj, no steps are taken to save Nagarpur from erosion, said Ram Krishna.
On the other hand, people from all walks of like in Solimabad and Doptior formed a human chain and held a rally beside the river in Nishcintapur area last week, demanding to construct an embankment in the area to save the localities from erosion.
Harun-or-Rashid, 70, of Nishchintapur in Doptior, said most part of his ancestral house was devoured by the river a few days ago. Now he along with his family members is planning to leave the area for an unknown destination.
Tangail WDB Executive Engineer Sirajul Islam in a recent interview with a private television channel said several unions including Solimabad and Doptior in Nagarpur upazila are on the way to disappear due to the erosion by the Jamuna.
They have already made a project to save the unions from erosion and sent it to the ministry concerned for approval, said the engineer.
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