A number of educational institutions in Sirajganj's Chauhali upazila are in danger of being washed away by untimely river erosion by the Jamuna River.
Locals in these areas are concerned as the river erosion has already engulfed many properties.
The Jamuna River has eroded an area of one and a half square kilometres in Baghutia Union's Binain to Char Salimabad in the past few weeks.
However, the Bangladesh Water Development Board is yet to take any measures to prevent erosion.
According to locals, Binain Government Primary School, Samvudiya Government Primary School, Samvudiya High School, Poyla High School, Chowbaria BM College and Baghutia Technical School and College are at risk of being washed away.
Abul Kalam, chairman of Baghutia union parishad, said: "During the last monsoon season when extensive erosion occurred from Binain to Char Salimabad area, the Bangladesh Water Development Board dropped Geo bags and brought the erosion under control.
Bangla Tribune“However, the erosion has started again. The Water Development Board has not yet taken any measures to prevent it. There are some educational institutions about 500 meters away from the affected area. If this continues for a few more days, five-six educational institutions will disappear under the river,” he said.
“I have informed everyone including the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) about the erosion”, Abul Kalam added.
Sirajganj Water Development Board sub-divisional engineer Ranjit Kumar Sarker said they have heard about the river erosion.
“However, as this is dry season, we are unable to take any measures to prevent the erosion due to lack of allocations,” he said.
“Once we get the allocation, we will start working to stop the erosion,” he added.
Meanwhile, Executive Engineer of Sirajganj Water Development Board Md Mahbubur Rahman said the authorities had sent a letter to the ministry asking for allocation. They will soon start the work once the budget is passed.
