The relentless erosion of the mighty Meghna River continues to devour vast swaths of land in three districts—Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, and Narsingdi. Over the past five years, approximately 15 kilometers of land have been lost to the river. This erosion has persisted for the past four decades, swallowing two to three villages every year and leaving behind a growing number of displaced and homeless families.
In Brahmanbaria’s Nabinagar upazila, thousands of acres of fertile land are being consumed in villages such as Baismouja, Gachtola, Char Kederkhola, Durgarampur, Nayahati, Maniknagar, Nasirabad, Dharavanga, and Konapara. Similarly, in Bancharampur upazila, the erosion has placed eight villages—like Ulukandi, Paschim Dariyadaulat, and Tejkhali—in grave danger.
In Narsingdi district’s Raipura upazila, the villages of Saudagarkandi, Charmodda, Mirzzarchar, Shantinagar, and Nilkshi have seen over 5,000 homes vanish into the river. Other areas like Karimpur, Nozrojoldi, and Alampur—along with 15 other villages—have also witnessed massive destruction, displacing thousands of families.
In Kishoreganj’s Bhairab upazila, several villages are now on the brink of being engulfed. If the erosion continues at this pace, within the next couple of years, Nabinagar’s two major markets and several villages could disappear entirely. The situation worsens significantly during the monsoon season.
Local residents along the Meghna blame unchecked sand extraction using dredgers for accelerating the erosion. Last year, Sonabaluya village in Barikandi union was completely lost to the river.
Although local Members of Parliament have raised the issue in the National Parliament and urged the government to take immediate action, progress remains limited. Two years ago, a two-kilometer embankment was constructed from Nasirabad to Maniknagar Bazar in Shyamgram union. Additionally, a protective embankment was built in Nurjahanpur and Muktarampur.
Residents along the riverbank are now pleading with the government for urgent intervention, including long-term embankment projects and proper rehabilitation, to save their homes and livelihoods from the Meghna’s unyielding grip.
