Worshippers Find Mosque Swept Away by the Padma at Fajr
The Imam Abu Hanifa Jame Mosque stood on the bank of the Padma River inside a temporary sandbag embankment in the Dewankandi area of Munshiganj Sadar upazila. After performing Isha prayers, worshippers returned to their respective homes. But when they came for Fajr prayers, they found that the entire mosque had been swept away into the Padma River.
The Padma in Munshiganj is now turbulent due to the powerful current of water flowing downstream. Severe riverbank erosion has occurred across extensive stretches of the river. Homesteads, structures and important installations are disappearing into the river one after another.
During an on-site visit to Dewankandi, Rakirkandi and Purbarakhi areas of Sadar upazila on Sunday afternoon (September 13), severe erosion was observed along the Padma riverbank. Temporary protective measures had been put in place by placing sandbags along the bank. However, a large portion of the protection system collapsed under the powerful current over the past few days.
The Water Development Board is still placing sandbags in an effort to protect the riverbank. However, the current is so strong that maintaining the protective measures has become difficult.
Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Nur Mahal Ashrafi said, “We have spoken to the ministry about preventing erosion in this area. Following the ministry’s instructions, we are working with engineers from the Water Development Board on a 400-metre stretch threatened by erosion.”
Kamaruzzaman Ratan, MP for Munshiganj-3, said, “This area has been affected by natural disasters for a long time. A mosque has been swept away by the powerful current. We are committed to preventing erosion and are continuing our efforts to the best of our ability.”
Sheikh Enamul Haque, sub-divisional engineer of the Munshiganj Water Development Board, said, “The water current in the Padma River has increased, resulting in erosion. We are working to protect the affected areas to the best of our ability.”
