Severe river erosion in Bhuapur

Bhuapur (Tangail) Correspondent :
Due to heavy rains caused by cyclone Sitrang and torrential downpours from upstream, the water level of Jamuna river has been increasing at Bhuapur point in Tangai. For this sudden upsurge in water, intense erosion has started in fourth phase in Chituliapara village locating at east Bank of Jamuna at Gobindasi union of the upazila.
Before that, the people of this area have already become the victims of river erosion for three times tensely demolishing hundreds of settlements and arable lands into the river beds. Now turning erosion grave again, the whole village was disoriented by sudden rise of water. Houses are devouring in the river beds every day in a blink of eyes. Furniture and daily necessities are also demolishing in river before being taken elsewhere. More than half a hundred families are still living in a very distress condition under open sky without food and pure drinking water including lack of sanitation facilities. So far, no effective stems have been taken by the District Water Development Board to prevent erosion in the Chituliapara village.
Visiting this village on ground on Monday, it is seen that many destitute families are living inhumanely in pensive mood. Local alleged that the Geo bags are dumping in several areas of river banks but no dumping have not been yet started in Chituliapara village though it is more vulnerable to erosion. In fact, no visible measures have yet been taken to prevent erosion in this area.
Widow Maleka Begum, a victim of river erosion of this village said that the greedy Jamuna claimed all my two houses and arable lands. Now I am totally destitute. I personally requested the public representatives to save my properties from the claw of erosion but in vain. Despite their repeated assurances, nothing effective has been done so far to prevent erosion.
I don’t know where to go now with my families!
In this regard, Dulal Hossain Chakder, Gobindashi UP chairman said that two and half hundred families have already lost their lives due to the severe erosion and another one and a half hundred families are spending their days very miserably. We are trying our best to support them within our capacities.
On the other hand, in Arjuna Union, four mosques, one madrasa along with three hundred houses have gone in river bed recently due to the sudden rise of water creating threat to hundreds of families.
Confirming this issue Sajjad Hossain, the Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board said that the water of Jamina river is suddenly increasing in Bhuapur point due recent adverse weather condition causing erosion. We will inspect the area very soon and will do accordingly for the wellbeing of the inhabitants of the areas.
In this regard, Israt Jahan, UNO of Bhuapur upazila said I have already cognizant about the erosion of Chituliapara village and talked with concerned higher officials about this issue so that necessary steps can be taken soon to stop erosion saving lives, properties and arable lands.