Jamuna erosion displaces 4000 families, devours schools

Local people trying to retrieve bricks and other construction materials of Shoilabari Government Primary School that collapsed into the Jamuna in the Sadar upazila. PHOTO: STAR

The river, during the current monsoon, has so far made homeless about 4,000 families.

The worst erosion affected areas are Monsur Nagar, Chargrish, Khas Razbari, Natuarpra Takani, Nishchin-tapur, Shubhgacha, Maizbari, Gandail, Polashpur, Sreepur, Ghorachora, Raghunathpur and Rangagari in Kazipur upazila; Bhatriari, Simla Khkhshbari, Sailabari, Khalishakura, Ranigram, Panch-thekri, Aminpur and Shaydabad the in Sadar upazila; Betil, Enayetpur, Shohagpur, Randhunibari, Kezirmorh, Azugara and Suborna Sara in Belkuchi upazila; Kaizuri, Sonatola, Guthibari and Beltail in Shahzadpur upazila and Khash Kawlia and Ghorzan in Chowhali upazila.

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Over 20 primary schools, two colleges, six madrashas, 10 mosques and three Union Purishad offices are now threatened, official sources said.

About 900 metres of Water Development Board (WDB) embankment in Suilabari in Sadar upazila have collapsed into the river, according to WDB sources.

In Chowhali, upazila office complexes are threatened, creating a panic among local people.

Many people in Kazipur, Sirajganj Sadar, Belkuchi and Chowhali upazilas are shifting their homes.

When contacted, WDB Executive Engineer Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan in Sirajganj said erosion by Jamuna has taken a serious turn near Sirajganj town. Protection measures can not be taken due to lack of funds, he said.