Serious Jamuna River erosion in Tangail

Bhuapur (Tangail) Correspondent :

Due to the lack of the embankments to protect the banks of Jamuna River at Bhuapur upazila in Tangail, sudden erosion has taken a severe turn as the water level is rising abruptly.
Already, around a hundred of houses, agricultural lands and various important structures including roads have been submerged recently in river causing untold sufferings to the local inhabitants.
Geo bags, dumped by the Water Development Board to prevent erosion are also waning to withstand the fierce waves of Jamuna. As a result, the residents of the banks of the Jamuna are spending their days in extreme fear.
Locals said that the water in river Jamuna is increasing at an alarming rate due to the hill slopes coming down from the upstream and heavy rains. As a result, there has been extensive erosion in river bank areas, at the same time lower areas have been submerged. Besides, various types of crops including sesame and jute are getting submerged in the water causing huge financial loss to the marginal farmers of these areas.
On the other hand, it has been seen on the ground that hundreds of dredgers have been placed to unload illegally lifted sands near the bank of Jamuna in Gobindahsi, Kostapapara, Valkutia, Chituliapara, Khanurbari, Konabari, Matikata, Sirajkandi and Sarpalshia areas of the upazila that also accelerates the erosion.
Dulal Hossain Chakder, UP Chairman of Gobindahsi union said that due to the rise of water level in Jamuna, many houses in Chituliapara were swept away under the river. As a result, victims are becoming disorientated.
If effective measures are not taken to prevent current erosion, hundred more houses and arable lands may devour in the womb of Jamuna.
In this regard Belal Hossain, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) said that erosion has taken a severe turn in various areas of the upazila for last few days due to the rise of water in Jamuna river. This matter has been informed to the District Water Development Board along with the higher authorities to take effective steps on emergency basis.