Bangladesh’s riverine identity is both its lifeblood and a burden. While these vital waterways sustain agriculture, trade, and help build entire livelihoods, they also pose a relentless threat to the very communities which depend on them. River erosion has become one of the most destructive forces facing rural Bangladesh as entire communities vanish overnight without any warnings whatsoever.
To that end, the recent devastation along the Jamuna River in Sirajganj is yet another grim reminder that river erosion in Bangladesh is a chronic national crisis. With over a hundred homes lost, schools swallowed by the river, and hundreds of acres of cropland destroyed, the erosion has displaced families, disrupted education, and undermined local economies. And yet, the government’s response remains reactive and fragmented.
As we have always known, the human and economic impact of river erosion is severe, and whenever disaster strikes the government needs to formulate plans for both immediate action and long-term strategies to mitigate its impact.
However, reactive measures have become de facto when it comes to this problem, and as a climate vulnerable country this is simply shortsighted. Bangladesh needs preventative measures which stop river erosion at the source, measures such as better predictive monitoring and mapping mechanisms, reinforced riverbank protection, and, most importantly, integrating river management into our climate policies.
As things stand, any and all relief efforts must go beyond token allocations -- emergency shelters, mobile schools, and medical support should be deployed to affected areas in order to ensure that the dignity of displaced citizens is preserved, while transparent aid distribution and community consultation are also non-negotiables to this end.
Furthermore, two years ago Bangladesh received financing from the World Bank to improve riverbank protection with regards to the areas surrounding the River Jamuna. How exactly has that money been spent?
River erosion is clearly a blind spot for us, but for Bangladesh to navigate these turbulent waters, it must be decisive and transparent about its preventative measures.
