The second electric tower pole of the national grid was swept away by the force of the water as erosion has once again taken a serious turn in the Padma River in Mirpur, Kushtia.
As the water level of the Padma decreases, the intensity of the erosion has increased in the Mirzangan area of Bahalbadia Union.
Agricultural land, homesteads, educational institutions, and many other structures have been submerged.
The Kushtia-Pabna highway is also under threat.
Previously, on September 19, a 132-kV tower pole of the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh was submerged in the Padma River in Mirpur.
In the past week, nearly 100 acres of land in Sahib Nagar, Mirzangan, and Talbadia areas had been lost to the river.
Local sources report that on Saturday, at around 11:30am, the second electric tower pole of the national grid suddenly submerged in the water. Fertile land is being swept away acre by acre.
Local madrasas and homesteads are also at risk. Another electric tower pole was previously washed away by the water. Thousands of people in the area are living in extreme fear due to the ongoing erosion.
A farmer from Bahalbadia village, Ishak, stated that several bighas of land have already been lost to the river. His only asset is his homestead. If the erosion continues, the river could wash away their last remaining home at any moment.
Another local resident, Sumona Khatun, mentioned that her only possession is her home. The land they had has already been taken by the river. If they lose their home, she wonders where her family will go.
Firoz Ahmed Jewel, an assistant teacher at Bahalbadia Jamiyul Madrasa, noted that the Padma River has come dangerously close to the madrasa. At the current rate of erosion, the madrasa could be submerged at any moment, leaving them in a state of extreme anxiety.
Meanwhile, officials from the BIWTA and Water Development Board Bangladesh (BWDB) of Kushtia visited the erosion-affected area on Saturday afternoon.
Mufti Yakub Bin Azmal, leader of the local Padma River Protection Committee, stated that the intensity of erosion has increased due to the decreasing water level of the Padma.
The building of the local Sahib Nagar Jamiul Madrasa is also under threat, he added.
Rashidur Rahman, executive engineer of the Kushtia WBDB, said that as the water in the Padma decreases, erosion is becoming more severe. In the initial phase, geo-bags are being placed in the areas experiencing significant erosion. However, steps are already being taken to construct permanent embankments. Work will commence as soon as the water level drops.