Tk 100cr Chauhali-Tangail embankment hit by erosion, homes, schools at risk

Erosion has hit three places on the Chouhali and Tangail Jamuna riverbank protection embankment, which was built at a cost of Tk 113 crore. Homesteads, vegetable fields and farmland have gone into the river. Five educational institutions and many houses are now at risk. The affected families have demanded quick repair of the embankment.

A visit to the area showed that the water level in the Jamuna has kept falling for several weeks. The strong current has caused erosion in at least three places along half a kilometer, from Barbayla to Boalkandi in Sadia Chandpur Union of Chouhali Upazila. The riverbank has become deep and unsafe. Many families have left their roof sheets and furniture in the open air.

Local residents Mr. Nezmat Ali, Mr. Nuruzzaman and Mr. Abdul Khalek said the embankment was built about two and a half years ago at a cost of Tk 113 crore. Over the past week, erosion has damaged about 350 meters of it. Some homesteads have already gone into the river. A community clinic, five educational institutions, many houses, vegetable fields and farmland are under threat.

The residents said nobody has come to repair or inspect the embankment yet. They fear that if the erosion continues, their last place to live will also vanish. Local Union Parishad member Mr. Jelhoque Ali said erosion does not leave the people of the Jamuna chars alone. He said about 350 meters of the Tk 113 crore embankment has broken at three places and left deep gaps. He added that quick repair is needed to save the schools and houses.

Concerned local people said the Sirajganj and Tangail offices of the Water Development Board should stop pushing the blame onto each other over this border area. They said the offices must take steps for a lasting solution, including geo bag dumping. Mr. Rakhil Rayhan, Sub Divisional Engineer of the Tangail Water Development Board, who is responsible for the area, said the Sirajganj office did the work in the monsoon. He said he knows about the erosion in the Hughra area on the Tangail border. He promised that the board will take the necessary steps soon.