Erosion by Jamuna wreaks havoc
Erosion started at different points in the district after a rise in the water level of the Jamuna river due to onrush of water from upstream for the last seven days.
A number of dwelling houses and vast tracts of croplands were devoured by the river in the last few days.
The erosion-affected people have taken shelter on roads and other people's houses.
The worst affected areas are Arjuna, Bharua, Kuthir Boira, Jagatpura, Tarai, Balarampur villages in Bhuapur upazila and Mahmudnagar and Kukuria villages in Sadar upazila.
The ancient market in Kuthir Boira under Bhuapur upazila is now under threat of erosion.
Mohammad Khalil of Kuthir Boira village said he has already lost his house as well as cropland due to the erosion.
"I have taken shelter at Kuthir Boira village after the river devoured my house at Degree Char village. Now, Kuthir Boira village is also under threat," said Rafiqul Islam, another victim of erosion. "Where we shall go now?" he asked.
Abu Hanif of the same area said no step has been taken yet to meet their demand for construction of an embankment to save local people from river erosion.
Bhuapur Upazila Parishad Chairman Abdul Halim said he raised the matter in the district development coordination meeting.
Meanwhile, erosion at different villages, including Mahmudnagar, Kukuria and Soratoil villages in Sadar upazila, increased after rise in water level of the river, locals said.
Mohammad Hanif of Kukuria village said he and several others in the area have lost their houses due to the erosion and taken shelter with family members in makeshift structures on a local road.
Afsar Miah of the same village said erosion hits the area during every rainy season, devouring dykes, roads, homesteads, educational institutions, markets as well as croplands. The government should take steps to construct a dyke to save the localities from erosion.
Sanower Hossain, Awami League lawmaker of Tangail-5 (Sadar) constituency, said a plan to construct a three-kilometre permanent dyke in the area was sent to the ministry, and it will be implemented as soon as possible.
Geo bags were dumped on the erosion-affected area in Mahmudnagar on Saturday in presence of the lawmaker.
District Water Development Board Executive Engineer Mahfuzur Rahman said they dumped Geo bags at several points in the erosion-affected areas of the two upazilas.
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