Worrying days for people by River Jhinai in Tangail

Jhinai River, a tributary of the Jamuna, continues devouring areas in Adajan village in Basail upazila of Tangail district, much to the worry of locals. The photo was taken a few days ago. Photo: STAR

People of different villages beside the Jhinai River in Basail upazila of Tangail district are passing days amid worry due to river erosion.
About one thousand people of 12 villages including Adajan, Ekdhala, Dohar, Ranagachha, Dapnazar, Kamutia, Kasil, Balina, Bilpara and Kazirpara under Fulki, Kasil, Habla and Kanchanpur unions in the upazila are facing serious river erosion threat due to rise of water level in the river.
Jhinai River, a tributary of the mighty Jamuna, also caused serious erosion in the same areas during the last year's monsoon.
However, the river has turned more furious this year and has already devoured about one hundred dwelling houses, several educational institutions, vegetable gardens and fruit orchards, and vast tracks of agricultural lands in the villages during the monsoon.
Many of the riverside families have already left their houses and taken shelter in safe places while many others are passing days under the open sky.
During this correspondent's visit to erosion-affected Adajan village in Basail recently, the affected people expressed their deep concern over the gradual erosion.
Many villagers including Abu Sayed, Abdul Malek, Menhaz Uddin, Somesh Uddin, Abdur Rafik, Tula Miah, Abdur Rashid, Mamun Miah, Shukur Miah, Munshi Hasan Ali, Mansoor Rahman and Mazibor Rahman said they have lost their houses due to the recent erosion by Jhinai River.
Most part of traditional KBN Bahumukhi High School in the upazila has already gone into the riverbed. Besides, a bazaar and a bridge adjacent to the school may also go to the riverbed any moment, locals said.
Abu Sayed Khan of erosion affected Adajan village said, "Although the people suffer a lot due to river erosion by Jhinai River every year, the authorities concerned never take necessary measures to check the erosion. Several riverside villages may disappear from the map of the upazila.”
When contacted, Riazul Hasan, executive engineer of Tangail Water Development Board, said, "We have no fund to check the river erosion. We have written to the higher authorities for providing necessary fund for the purpose. The works to check the erosion can be started after getting the fund.”