‘Need embankment, not relief’

Amid heavy rains and onrush of water from upstream, Jamuna river erosion has turned into an all-devouring menace in Tangail.

It is engulfing croplands and hundreds of establishments, including houses, educational and religious institutions, of the riverside villages.

Residents of the district's Bhuanpur, Kalihati, Sadar and Nagarpur upazilas are living a miserable and uncertain life over the last couple of months in fear of losing everything to the river.

In the last few days, severe destruction has been witnessed in some villages of Govindasi and Nikrail unions under Bhuanpur upazila.

Water Development Board in Tangail is trying to prevent erosion by dumping geo bags, but to no avail, said locals.

Amid such situation, they have begun evacuating the riverside. Many of those who have already lost their homestead are taking shelter on the streets or in their relatives' houses.

Not only this year, but for the last few years, erosion in Jamuna river has been wreaking havoc in different villages of Govindasi, Nikrail, Arjuna and Gabsara unions under Bhuanpur. Unplanned sand extraction by local influential people has further worsened erosion in the area, they added.

Facing residents' demands for a solution, WDB dumped geo bags at few places but it has not been effective in preventing erosion, they said.

This correspondent recently visited Chituliapara, Patitapara and Matikata villages under Govindasi union and witnessed severe erosion by the Jamuna.

Locals claimed that about 500 families in these areas have been affected in the last two months.

Abdul Karim, resident of Patitapara village, said they are helpless as their houses were lost to the erosion in front of their eyes and now they have nowhere else to go.

"We do not seek relief. We demand construction of a permanent dam. The river is devouring us all. When will the dam be constructed?" Karim said.

Locals Minhaj Miah, and Nasir Uddin echoed the same.

Contacted, Gobindasi UP Chairman Dulal Hossain Chakdar said he has informed the Upazila Parishad and WDB about the erosion situation in the area and requested them to take necessary measures.

"I heard the construction of the permanent dam may start by the middle of next year," he added.

Bhuanpur UNO Belal Hossain said rice is being distributed among the affected people.

However, the official could not provide any specific information about how many houses and structures have been devoured by the river so far.

"Concrete blocks will be laid for several kilometres of the river bank, stretching from Govindasi union to Bangabandhu Cantonment. A cross-bar (cross-dam) will also be constructed to divert the river's course from this side," said Sazzad Hossain, executive engineer of WDB in Tangail.

A Tk 2,600 crore project has been prepared in this regard, he added.

"Since it is decided that the area will be turned to an economic zone, the dam will be constructed as soon as possible," he added.