The Jamuna River has devoured over 500 houses in Tangail over the past week, leaving thousands homeless.
As the river’s water level has risen alarmingly, several hundred people from Tangail Sadar upazila’s Charpauli village have left their homes in fear of being affected by the erosion that is currently taking place.
A resident of the village, Yunus Ali, said river erosion was common in the village and happened every year. “The authorities have yet to build an embankment here to prevent the river from overflowing into the village and destroying our homes.”
Another local, Saiful Islam, said the erosion victims were taking shelter at their relative’s houses in nearby villages.
Mominur Rahman Mia said he had been forced to move thrice in the last three years due to continuous river erosion. “I am preparing to move this time as well before the river swallows my home.”
Dhaka TribuneIn addition to houses, several schools are also under threat. These institutions could fall into the river bed at any time, locals feared.
Kakua Union Parishad Chairman Sheikh Mohammad Ali Jinnah said he had informed the district administration and the upazila council about the destruction the river was causing.
“More than 500 houses have been destroyed in just seven days. It is essential to build an embankment here to prevent erosion. Otherwise, the village will vanish from Bangladesh’s map in two years,” he added.
Bangladesh Water Development Board Executive Engineer Sirajul Islam said the agency would not be able to stop the erosion now as it had taken a dangerous turn in the last few days.
“We have to build the embankment after the monsoon season ends,” he added.