Jamuna devours hundreds of homesteads in 2 weeks

Homeless in days... A family watches with great worries as the Jamuna erosion approaches their homestead (Left) while another homeless family in Khoksabari in Sirajganj Sadar shifting their house to a safer place. PHOTO: STAR

At least seven kilometers of the flood control embankment from Khokshabari to Bhatpiary has collapsed into the river in last two weeks. About 1200 metres of the embankment at Ranigram groin point collapsed on Saturday and the rest 4000 metres in the same area are vulnerable.

The embankment at Ranigram point is vital among five other points of the 52 KM Brammha-putra flood control embankment between Sirajganj and Kazipur. Sirajganj town will be threatened with erosion if the embankment collapses in more areas, locals said.

Water Development Board (WDB) official said they can not take any step to repair the embankment due to fund shortage.

WDB Executive Engineer Nizamul Huq Bhuian in Sirajganj said, erosion is a regular phenomenon but this it has taken a serious turn ahead of the season this year.

The WDB officials said they invited tender to build an embankment on the western bank of Jamuna covering the five vulnerable points, involving Tk 1.5 crore.

Water Resources Adviser Maj. Gen. (retd) ASM Motiur Rahman during a visit to Ranigram on April 9 assured of funds for reconstruction of the embankment but it is yet to be mobilised, WDB officials told this correspondent.

At least 3500 homesteads and about 1500 acres of croplands in 35 villages in the five upazilas have already been devoured by the Jamuna in last two weeks. The five affected upazilas Kazipur, Sirajganj Sadar, Belkuchi, Shahzadpur and Chowhali. Kazipur, Sirajganj Sadar and Chowhali upazila are worst affected.

The Daily Star correspondent during a visit o the areas saw people close to the river areas dismantling their houses and shifting to safer places. Thirty-five more villages in the five upazilas are now threatened.

Water level of Jamuna near Sirajganj town is also rising by two to three feet everyday, WDB sources said.

Meanwhile, about 12000 people who lost their homesteads have taken shelter on highlands and on both sides of roads in the last seven days.

Banis Ali, 36, of Charpara village said he lost his homestead three times in last several tears. He has taken shelter on a road at Khokshabari Natunpara village.

The erosion-affected villages are Ranigram, Gunergati, Khokshabari, Panchil, Dwiarpanchil, Shimla, Bhatpiari, Simantobazar, Shuvogachha, Meghai, Natun Meghai, Natuarpara, Shoydabad, Randhunibari, Gachhabari, Shahpur, Rajapur, Shohagpur, Chala, Kaijuri, Gudhibari, Beltoil, Potazia, Sonatuni, Enayetpur, Betil, Jalalpur, Gala, Khaskawlia, Ghorjan, Chowhali, Umorpur and Sowdiachandpur.

More areas will go into the river within few days if the erosion is not checked, locals said.

Our Staff Correspondent reports from Bogra: A large number of families have become homeless and over 300 hectares of cropland by washed away due to erosion by Jamuna on its right bank in Takukderpara in Shariakandi upazila in Bogra district.

WDB officials in Bogra said the erosion turned serious in last few days and five WDB strictures constructed at a cost Tk 175 crore have been threatened at Maghai and Shimla areas in Sirajgonj.

Chandanbaisa Union Parisad Chairman Mohammed Shahadat Hossain Dulal in Sharakandi told this correspondent that about 50,000 people in three unions in Shariakandi will be affected if the main embankment at Talukderpara collapses.

WDB is going to start renovation work at several points of the embankment on the right bank of Jamuna in Bogra, officials said.