With the recession of floodwater, erosion on the banks of Madhumati River has taken a serious turn in Alfadanga upazila of Faridpur district, causing further worry among the flood-hit people of the upazila.
People of 10 villages under four unions of the upazila have been passing days in mounting tension as 500-meter road, some dwellings and croplands have already gone into the gorge of the river.
Sultan Mahmud, executive magistrate of Water Development Board, said already a road, some dwellings, croplands and a mosque in Tagarband, Gopalpur, Buraich and Pachuria unions of the upazila have been washed away due to erosion while Bazra, Char Azampur, Chapulia, Chardhanair, Shakipara villages in the upazila are under threat of erosion.
During a recent visit to the erosion-hit areas, the correspondent found 10 villages including Bazra, Char Azampur, Chapulia, Chardhanair, Shakipara and Bashtala under the threat of erosion.
A letter seeking approval for a project for building an embankment has been sent to the high officials concerned to prevent the erosion, he said.
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Some villagers, including Rezaul and Ikramuzzaman of Tagarband union and Pachuria union, said that only a flood control embankment will protect their homes from the river erosion.
Obaidur Rahman, a Union Parishad member of Bazra village, said: “The river is only a few yards away from my house and this year I will lose my dwelling. At least 25 families in my area have left their houses and taken shelter to safer places due to the erosion while others are trying to shift their houses to other places.”
Imam Hasan Shipon, chairman of Tagarband union, said 10 kilograms of rice have been disbursed among the flood-affected people while they are trying to check erosion by dumping Geo bags.
AKM Zahidul Hasan, chairman of Alfadanga Upazila Parishad, said work to prepare a list of the erosion-hit people is underway and they will provide government assistance after making the list.
Manzur Hossain, Member of Parliament of Faridpur-1 constituency, said Geo bags have been placed to protect the river bank areas and the Water Development Board has sent a proposal for building a dam there.
