Severe Jamuna erosion threatens farmland, educational institutions in Chauhali

Severe river erosion has hit West Jotpara in Khaskaulia Union of Chauhali upazila in Sirajganj as water levels in the Jamuna continue to rise following an upstream flash flood. Farmland and homesteads are being washed away, putting more than 100 families at risk.

The erosion, which began Thursday afternoon, is occurring along nearly a kilometre from the Khaskaulia spur to the Khaspukuria spur. Large areas of farmland and homes inside the flood-control embankment are under threat.

Locals said the Jamuna began rising early last month following upstream flows. Strong currents and whirlpools subsequently triggered erosion in parts of Jotpara and Baghutian villages from July. Since then, riverbank soil has been collapsing into the river almost daily.

Jotpara resident Abdul Majid said he had borrowed money from banks and relatives to cultivate jute, but lost his entire crop within days of the erosion. He is now worried about losing his homestead as well.

The Water Development Board (WDB) has started emergency dumping of sand-filled geobags and geotubes to check the erosion. However, several geobags have been swept away by the strong current, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the measures.

Sirajganj WDB Executive Engineer Mokhlesur Rahman said geobags were being dumped as an emergency measure and the situation was being monitored continuously. He expressed hope that the situation would soon be brought under control.

Contractor Md Rafiqul Islam said the dumping operation was continuing on the instructions of Sirajganj-5 MP Amirul Islam Khan Alim. However, the work has been temporarily disrupted due to a shortage of geobags and will resume fully once a new allocation arrives.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Chauhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mehedi Hasan Shakil said he would soon visit the erosion-hit areas and coordinate with the WDB to take swift and effective measures.