The people of Sirajganj are immensely getting affected as severe river erosion has occurred in 5 upazilas due to the water level in the Jamuna River has been decreasing.
Over the past week alone, the river has swept away more than two hundred houses, educational institutions, farmlands, and various structures in the Sadar, Kazipur, Belkuchi, Shahjadpur, and Chauhaliupazilas of the district. The affected people now find themselves living exposed to the elements, relying on makeshift shelters crafted from polythene.
The river so far claimed 20 houses in Hatpanchil and Jalalpur villages of Shahjadpurupazila, along with 120 houses in Tekani village of Tekani union in Kazipurupazila. In addition, Digradarta village in Nishchinpur union and two tin houses at Digradarta High School in Chauhaliupazila met the same fate. Furthermore, 50 houses in Bhootermor and
Charslimabad villages of Baghutia Union, as well as 10 houses in Kshidrachapari village of Baradhul Union in BelkuchiUpazila, disappeared beneath the turbulent waters of the Jamuna.
More than fifty houses in Shahjadpurupazila, numerous houses, and 17 educational institutions in Chauhaliupazila, along with two hundred houses and a degree high school in Kazipurupazila, are now at risk of erosion, causing fear among the residents along the riverbanks.
Despite the looming catastrophe, a project worth Tk 47 crore was sanctioned by the Water Development Board to protect the riverbanks from Khashpukhuria in Chauhali to Charslimabad. Deputy Minister for Water Resources, AKM EnamulHaqueShamim, inaugurated this project in June.
Residents affected by erosion, including Azida Begum, Arshad Mia, and NuruJazaman Mandal, are struggling without homes, resorting to building makeshift huts from polythene while facing exposure to the elements. They express disappointment that no public representatives or authorities have acknowledged their situation or provided relief assistance. In the last three days alone, at least 25 houses in their village have succumbed to the relentless Jamuna River.
Md. AbulKalamMolla, Chairman of Baghutia UP, highlighted the worsening erosion situation at Dewanganj and Charslimabad intersections, pointing out that the emergency placement of geo bags is insufficient to address the crisis.
Mulluk Chan, Chairman of Khukni Union Parishad in ShahjadpurUpazila, revealed that fifty houses in Brahmangram and Arkandi villages in his union remain submerged in floodwater, forcing residents to seek refuge on higher ground.
Executive Engineer of Sirajganj Water Development Board, Mahbubur Rahman, provided a glimmer of hope by indicating that efforts to reinforce the erosion-affected areas in Chauhali, Shahzadpur, Belkuchi, and Kazipurupazilas are underway as floodwaters recede.
Although river erosion in Chauhali has persisted for some time, the project's commencement was delayed by rising floodwaters. Work is expected to begin in October, potentially putting an end to this ongoing crisis.
