Relentless River Erosion Leaves Shahjadpur’s Riverside Communities Homeless and Destitute
Residents of riverbank areas in Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj are being left destitute as the Jamuna River continues to swallow their homes and land. The relentless erosion has taken away their sleep, with many living in constant fear of having to leave their homesteads at any time.
More than 200 houses in Kursi and Dhitpur villages of Sonatani Union have already been washed away by severe erosion. Recently, affected residents held a human chain and protest demanding the urgent dumping of geobags to prevent further erosion.
The erosion is so severe that many families have not even had time to move their homes and belongings. Many affected families are now living under polythene sheets or behind fishing nets in open spaces.
According to locals, the Jamuna has so far swallowed two mosques, two madrasas, two primary schools, a Union Parishad office, more than 200 homesteads, around 2,000 bighas of cropland and numerous trees.
Villagers alleged that the Sirajganj Water Development Board failed to take timely measures to dump sandbags because it did not give adequate attention to the plight of people living in the char areas. They said villages are disappearing into the Jamuna due to the authorities’ negligence.
At the human chain, Jinnah Mondal, Abdul Malek, Abdus Samad, Fitter Sardar and Lashkar Ali said erosion continues in Sripur, Dhitpur, Kursi and Barpakhia villages of Sonatani Union, as well as Mohanpur and Hatkora villages of Gala Union. Over the past three months, hundreds of homes and large areas of cropland have disappeared before residents’ eyes.
Shahjadpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sabrina Sarmin told the Daily Inqilab that she had visited the affected areas. The overall situation has been reported to the higher authorities, and the Water Development Board has been requested to take necessary measures. Relief supplies are also being distributed among affected people, while steps are being taken for their rehabilitation, she said.
However, Maklesur Rahman, executive engineer of the Sirajganj Water Development Board, told the Daily Inqilab that Sonatani Union is primarily a char area and has no specific project currently in operation. As a result, immediate intervention is not possible, he said, adding that work will begin if a new project is approved.
