Fresh erosion in the unprotected part of the Padma River is threatening the recently finished left bank protection project of the river.
Residents of Goaldubi in Charbagdanga union of Sadar upazila are living in constant fear of losing their houses and mango orchards. According to them, if such erosion continues, Bangladesh will lose some landmass to India which situated on Padma’s right side.
600 metres, out of the 1500 metre river bank at Goaldubi, was brought under protection in the last fiscal year. Tk15 crore was spent in putting up the embankment. Then, erosion suddenly started occurring in 100 metres of the remaining 900 metre bank. Already the mighty Padma has penetrated 100 metres inward, devouring land and mango orchards.
Contractors of the left bank protection project, Mainul Islam and Abdur Rakin, said there had been no response from the authority despite their request to take up a new project to protect the rest of the left bank. Locals urged the authority to take quick measures to slow down the erosion.
Meanwhile, the water level of the Padma and Mahananda rivers are continuing to rise due to the torrential rainfall and the downhill floods which are inundating the low-lying areas.
According to the Water Development Board, the water level has risen 29cm in the Padma and 27cm in the Mahananda in the last 24 hours. If this continues, it would soon cross the danger mark.
Abus Sattar, an official of Chapainawabganj Water Development Board, said: “The erosion began along the newly built left embankment. If it is not checked immediately, it will damage the embankment and we will lose a huge chunk of the shoal to India. We have written to the authority and are waiting for their response.”
