As water levels recede in the Jamuna River, severe erosion has been reported along the riverbanks in the Sonatala area of Bogra.
Although the Water Development Board has placed geo-bags filled with sand at certain locations, the measures have not been sufficient to prevent the erosion.
Many residents have been left in despair after losing their homes, with some even seeing ancestral graves washed away, fueling further panic among riverbank communities.
The affected people have appealed to the government for urgent, long-term solutions to halt the erosion.
According to local sources, the Jamuna River's water level has been falling in recent days, causing erosion in several villages within Sonatala upazila.
On Friday, areas including Mirzapur, Purbo Sujaitpur, Radhakantapur, Amtali, Musharpara, Aucharpara, Mohabbatpara, Jontiarpara, Saralia, Purbo Tekani, and Chukainagar began experiencing increased riverbank erosion.
Erosion along the Jamuna has persisted for nearly 18 years, with parts of these villages vanishing from the map. Over 300 people from Aucharpara and nearby areas have relocated their homes, while local markets have also been shifted.
The ongoing erosion has residents fearing for their safety. Some report that river erosion has reached dangerously close to their livestock shelters and even the foundations of their homes. While daytime passes relatively calmly, nights are marked by sleepless worry over the potential collapse of their homes.
Locals claim that the Jamuna River's depth has significantly decreased over the years due to the lack of dredging. As a result, seasonal floods and post-flood erosion have led to the loss of hundreds of acres of arable land, trees, and houses.
While the Water Development Board attempts to curb erosion through limited geo-bag placement and bamboo piling during the rainy season, long-term interventions during the dry season remain absent.
Residents like Zainal Abedin, Sampa Begum, Bahar Uddin, Sona Mia, and Minarul Islam from Mirzapur village have shared their distress, describing how river erosion has brought the riverbank right up to their homes.
Although the Water Development Board has placed geo-bags in some areas, the residents believe these measures are inadequate.
Community members also report that many have been forced to relocate their homes multiple times due to erosion, with some moving to other regions. They urge authorities to deposit a significant amount of geo-bags immediately, believing it may help curb further erosion. Some residents lamented the loss of ancestral graves due to the relentless river erosion.
Sonatala Upazila Agriculture Officer Sohrab Hossain expressed concern over the gradual loss of land and vegetation, which he warned could eventually lead to a food shortage in the area and adversely impact the environment.
Local Union Chairmen AKM Latiful Bari Tim of Pakulla Union and Zahidul Islam Jahid of Tekanchukainagar Union emphasized the resilience of the riverbank residents, who continue to endure hardship against natural forces.
They suggested that river dredging and permanent measures taken during the dry season could provide a more sustainable solution.
In response, Water Development Board Assistant Engineer Hasanuzzaman said: “We have placed some geo-bags in Mirzapur as an immediate measure,” expressing hope that these efforts will help mitigate the erosion.
