River Erosion Ravages Khairabad, Swallows Homes and Roads

The Khairabad River Erosion Prevention Committee held a press conference and a protest rally yesterday at 11 am. They demanded effective steps to stop the river erosion. More than 100 men and women from the affected area joined the event.

Locals say the strong erosion in the past week took a large part of the main road of Bharatkathi village into the river. This has broken the communication system of the area. Thousands of people are almost trapped because they cannot travel by road. Young students cannot go to school, and sick patients face great trouble in getting emergency medical care.

At the press conference, Mr. Md. Ruhul Amin Howlader, convener of the Dopdopia Union Khairabad River Erosion Prevention Struggle Committee, and Mr. Md. Ramzan Icon Hridoy, member secretary, spoke. They said more than 100 families in the area have lost their homes and become helpless. If nobody takes quick action to stop the erosion, the suffering of the people will grow even more.

They also said sick patients cannot get treatment on time because of the erosion. Students cannot reach their schools, colleges and madrasas. They said the Jhalokathi Water Development Board must act quickly to protect the people. They demanded that the board build an embankment or place geo bags on an urgent basis to protect the riverbank.

Mr. Protik Kumar Kundu, Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) of Nalchity, said, “I learned about the Khairabad river erosion from you. I will visit the spot soon and inform the right authorities.” Reporters called the mobile phone of Mr. Nilay Pasha, Executive Engineer of the Jhalokathi Water Development Board. He did not answer, so his comment could not be taken.

Strong erosion of the Khairabad river on the border of Dopdopia Union in Nalchity Upazila of Jhalokathi has left more than 100 families helpless. The river has already taken the homes of many families. The main road of Bharatkathi village has also gone into the river, and local people are suffering greatly.