Severe erosion of the Padma River has affected three unions in the Mirpur upazila of Kushtia.
The river has taken a dangerous turn in Sahebnagar of Talbaria and Bahlbaria unions, and in Mirzanagar of Baruipara union.
The erosion of the Padma has swallowed homes, agricultural lands, flood control embankments, cemeteries, schools, colleges, madrasas, and even significant government structures, including national highways.
Local residents are urging immediate measures to protect these areas.
During a visit to Mirzanagar in Baruipara union on Saturday, the aggressive erosion by the Padma River was evident.
In this region, homes, agricultural lands, and trees have disappeared into the river.
Many have been forced to abandon their homes, and trees along the riverbanks have been uprooted.
The Mirzanagar Graveyard and several other important structures are at risk.
The highway connecting Kushtia and Pabna is also just a few meters away from the eroding riverbank, posing a significant threat.
Ashraful Islam, the treasurer of the Mirzanagar graveyard committee said: "The river erosion has reached the area adjacent to the graveyard. Previously, we had to walk a considerable distance to see the river, but now, it has come to us, right next to the graveyard."
He further said: "If the erosion continues, we may lose the memories of our elders buried here, as well as the annual prayers we perform for them. There is also a nearby college that is under threat."
A local resident, Aminul Islam, shared his concerns: "The graveyard in this area, along with other land, is being engulfed by the Padma River. The people here are losing even their burial grounds, facing severe distress. If the government had taken action, the graveyard could have been saved from erosion."
Reports suggest that the erosion has intensified as the water level of the Padma River has receded.
Already, two electric transmission towers of the national grid had collapsed into the river.
Most recently, on October 12 at around 11:30am, the second tower was swept away by the river's current.
Cultivable land, homes, educational institutions, and many other structures have been lost to the river, and the Kushtia-Pabna highway is now under threat.
Earlier, on September 19, a 132 kV transmission tower of the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) fell into the Padma River in the Mirpur upazila.
In the past week alone, approximately 100 acres of land in Sahebnagar, Mirzanagar, and Talbaria areas of Mirpur upazila have disappeared into the river.
Ishaq, a farmer from Bahlbaria village, shared that several bighas of his land have already been lost to the river.
He said: "Now, my home is all I have left. With the river eroding as it is, even my last possession could be swallowed at any moment."
Firoz Ahmed Jewel, an assistant teacher at Bahlbaria Jamiul Madrasa, expressed his fears, saying: "The erosion of the Padma has reached very close to our madrasa. If it continues like this, the madrasa could be swept away into the river at any time. We are living in constant fear."
Mufti Yakub bin Azmal, a leader of the local Padma River Protection Committee, said that the erosion has intensified recently due to the declining water level of the Padma.
He mentioned that the Sahebnagar Jamiul Madrasa building is particularly at risk.
Rashidur Rahman, the Executive Engineer of the Kushtia Water Development Board, acknowledged that the erosion has worsened with the receding water level.
He said: "We are placing geo-bags in areas where the erosion is severe as an initial measure. However, plans for constructing a permanent embankment are already underway."