Jamuna erosion makes 350 families homeless

The turbulent Jamuna has devoured a number of houses and vast tracts of croplands in Phulchhari and Saghata upazilas of Gailbandha district in the last three days. The photo was taken from Dighalkandi in Haldia union of Saghata upazila yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Erosion by the River Jamuna took an alarming turn in the last three days, rendering at least 350 families in different areas under Phulchhari and Saghata upazilas homeless.
The affected areas are Uttar Digholkandi, Patilbari in Saghata upazila and old Phulchhari, Kaiyer Haat, Balashi, Singria, Ratanpur and Katlamari in Phulchari upazila.
The erosion-hit people have taken shelter on the embankment and roads, said Jainul Abedin, chairman of Fazlupur Union Parishad.  
Patilbari flood shelter and Digholkandi Bazar have been badly affected due to the erosion.
The mighty Jamuna also eroded a number of homesteads and a vast tract of cropland during the period.
Flood control dyke at Ratanpur and Digholkandi Bazar are facing serious erosion threat, said locals.
The shop owners shifted their structures to safer places, fearing further onslaught by the river, said the market committee.
They urged the upazila nirbahi officer to take immediate steps to thwart the erosion, said the UP chairman.