‘Save us from erosion’

Houses, croplands and other important establishments have gone into the Dhaleshwari river at Sahabatpur union in Tangail's Nagarpur upazila following recent erosion.

The victims have blamed extraction of sand from  the river behind the current status quo. They urged the authorities concerned to tackle the situation immediately, and then construct embankments as a permanent solution.

During a recent visit, this correspondent observed that many homes and acres of croplands in one kilometre area had been completely devoured by the river.

Over a 100 homes and remaining arable lands are waiting to share the same fate if erosion isn't stopped immediately, said locals.

Aasia Khatun, a resident of Arra village, said the house she built by taking out a loan is now on the verge of going into the river.

"We are passing days in uncertainty. We hope that the authorities will take necessary steps, construct embankments and save us from the erosion," she added.

Echoing the same, Mohammad Asaduzzaman, from the same village,  said he lost his home and 170 decimals of crop lands due to the erosion.

Contacted, Tofayel Ahmed Mollah, Sohobatpur union parishad chairman, said he has already informed the  higher authorities in this regard.

Sazzad Hossain, executive engineer at Water Development Board in Tangail, said they have already visited the affected areas. "Necessary steps will be taken in this regard," he said.

Asked about the sand lifting issue, Sazzad said committees at upazila and district levels are monitoring the situation.