600 families homeless by Jamuna erosion

Jamuna erosion does not spare even the high embankment at Vatpiari in Sirajganj Sadar upazila, where several hundred affected families have taken shelter. The river devoured part of it in the last few days, creating panic in the area. PHOTO: STAR

The swelling river has also devoured 18 educational institutions, eight markets and about 17,00 acres of cropland in different areas of the district.

Over 5000 people have shifted to safer places like embankments and high lands.

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Talking to this correspondent yesterday, officials in the administration admitted that the Chowhali upazila office complex, two Union Parishad complexes, eight village markets and 200 houses are now threatened.

During a visit to the affected areas yesterday and the day before, this correspondent saw most of the erosion affected families living under the open sky without any assistance or relief from either the government or any NGO. Intestinal diseases have broken out at places due to lack of drinking water, they said. Outbreak of jaundice was also reported. Most of the affected people said they have no work and food.

Executive Engineer of WDB, Nizamul Haque Bhuian, when contacted, said the Jamuna swelled in the last three days due to onrush of water from across the border and rain.

Deputy Commission Aminul Bor Chwodhury said "sufficient" relief materials have been allotted for the affected people. A team has been formed to distribute the relief goods among the affected people, he said.