Erosion of Madhumati river has wreaked havoc in 10 villages of Alphadanga upazila in Faridpur district, destroying houses and farm lands.
Many people living in the erosion-prone areas have lost all their possessions and are forced to move elsewhere. Thousands of houses, 2,000 hectares of farm land, educational institutions and businesses remain vulnerable to erosion.
Abdullah Shamim Mallik, member of ward no 1 in Tagarbandh union, said tidal surges in Madhumati river caused erosion, destroying at least 200 houses in Amdanga, Fanail, Chapulia and several other villages in the last seven days.
“Many agricultural lands, mosques and trees were also damaged. People in those areas are now in panic and are frantically trying to move to new places. Many have lost everything in the natural disaster,” he said.
Abul Hossain Molla of Krishnapur village said the erosion, stretching nearly a kilometre, ravaged 40 houses and a century-old mosque in the village.
“Many have been displaced while 300 houses, vast tracts of land and schools remain under threat. The water development board has begun river governance project here which is also responsible for erosion,” he said.
Golam Mostafa Khan, deputy divisional engineer of Faridpur Water Development Board, said construction of Amdanga-Krishnapur village protection embankment was underway.
