Despite the end of the monsoon season, the jamuna River in Sirajganj continues to erode its banks, causing panic among residents of nine villages in Shahjadpur upazila.
The erosion, which began this monsoon, has already swallowed over 500 houses, two mosques, two madrassas, a graveyard, and hundreds of bighas of cropland. The Dhitpur-Kursi haat-bazar is also halfway gone, with locals fearing its complete disappearance if no action is taken.
"Where our houses stood just a month ago, there is now only water," said affected residents, including Abdus Sattar and Comela Khatun, who now live in constant fear.
Shahjadpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed that 270 hectares of cropland have been lost in the last five to six years, with 70-100 hectares eroded in recent months alone. "The farmers have suffered huge losses, and the people have become helpless," he stated.
While the Upazila Executive Officer, Kamruzzaman, has inspected the area and assessed the damage, the Water Development Board has promised to begin anti-erosion work, such as dropping geo-bags, "very soon."
