Residents in parts of Gopalganj are facing growing uncertainty as riverbank erosion along the Madhumati, Baghiar and Kumar rivers threatens homes, farmland and public infrastructure.
The Gopalganj Water Development Board (WDB) has identified 42 locations across the district as being at high risk of erosion, warning that the situation could worsen during the upcoming monsoon season.
According to the WDB, erosion has been reported at 13 sites in Gopalganj Sadar, 19 in Kashiani, nine in Tungipara and one in Kotalipara. The affected areas are located along major rivers and their tributaries.
Officials say a lack of funding for river protection and embankment maintenance over the past two to three years has hampered efforts to prevent further damage.
"We have not received allocations for major erosion-control works in recent years," said WDB Executive Engineer Md Anis Haider Khan. "Without timely intervention, both the extent of damage and the cost of recovery are likely to increase."
A visit to several affected areas found that some riverside families are at risk of losing their homes. Agricultural land, roads, schools and religious institutions have also been affected.
In Manikhar village of Gopalganj Sadar, 68-year-old Hedayetul Islam Khan said large sections of his land had already been lost to the river.
"When I built my house in 2000, it was considered a safe location," he said. "Now the river is approaching my home. Many families have already left after losing their land and houses."
In Gimadanga village under Tungipara's Patgati Union, resident Kamrul Sheikh said erosion along the Baghiar River had moved close to residential properties.
"The river is only a few feet from my house now," he said. "Around 15 to 20 families here are living in fear that they may have to leave their homes."
Another resident, Shukur Ali Sheikh, said a local road used to access schools, a madrasa and a mosque had already disappeared into the river. Villagers have since built a temporary earthen road to maintain communication.
The issue has prompted local Members of Parliament to seek intervention from the government. Lawmakers representing Gopalganj's three parliamentary constituencies have submitted written appeals to the Ministry of Water Resources and other relevant authorities, calling for urgent measures to protect vulnerable communities and infrastructure.
Dr KM Babar, MP for Gopalganj-2, said he had requested immediate action from the authorities and asked local officials to prepare emergency protection measures, including the placement of geo-bags and concrete blocks in vulnerable areas.
The Water Development Board says it is preparing contingency plans for the monsoon season while developing longer-term protection projects.
Anis Haider Khan said an estimated Tk 50 crore would be required to implement permanent erosion-control measures. A proposal has been submitted to the relevant ministry and higher authorities for approval.
Officials say that if funding is secured soon, significant losses from river erosion this year could still be prevented.
