Erosion by the Nabaganga River has turned serious in several villages of Kalia upazila, washing away homesteads, trees and cropland.
Besides, Baripara Mahajan road, markets, mosques, cemeteries, and other important infrastructures in the upazila are at risk.
Locals said riverbanks erosion is a recurring problem for thousands of residents in the upazila’s riverside areas, who face severe erosion during every monsoon.
Vising the erosion-hit areas the correspondent found that the Nabganga River has been intensely eroding the banks in Kanchanpur area of Kalaia Upazila for several weeks.
If Baripara Mahajan road erodes, thousands of acres of farmland and hundreds of fish enclosures will be submerged, said locals.
Mohammad Alek Sheikh, a resident of Kanchanpur village, said, "Our home has been swallowed by the river. This house was all we had, and now it’s gone. We are living in great hardship with my children."
Another resident, Ashraf Mukhtar, said, "We are living in constant fear. If this road collapses, all our homes and fields will be lost to the river. Almost everyone in our area depends on agriculture for their livelihood."
Fuli Bibi, who has lost her home to the river, said, "My house is gone, and I am left destitute. I don't know where to go or what to do. Without this house, I have no land left to find shelter. Now, I don't know where to stay with my children."
Geo-bags were used in the past to temporarily prevent river erosion in the affected areas. However, the residents are now demanding the construction of permanent embankments to prevent the erosion.
Bangladesh Water Development Board officials said they visited the site and took necessary steps to prevent erosion.
Ujjal Kumar Sen, executive engineer of WDB said, "I have visited the spot. Based on the directive from the higher authorities, urgent measures are being taken to prevent further erosion. We hope we will start the work soon."
Biduyut Kumar Saha, additional chief engineer of Khulna division WDB, said, "We are taking necessary steps to take a project to prevent erosion permanently after a survey. Emergency measures are also being taken."
Source: UNB
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
