Jamuna erosion makes 200 families homeless in Bogra

Following the recession of flood water in Sariakandi upazila, the Jamuna River has eroded vast areas of four unions, rendering around 200 families homeless and threatening cropland, schools, markets and union health centre.

The affected villages are Rohodaha, Daripara, and Kamalpur in Kamalpur union; Noakhila,  Chandanbaisha, Ghugumari in Chandanbaisha union; Manikdair, Dharabarsha, Shimultayir, Panchgachhi and Teligari char under Chaluabari union; and Mashipara of Kutubpur union.

Residents of these areas have taken shelter on high land, but they are suffering due to the lack of food, drinking water, and fodder for the domestic animals. The relief materials sent by the government are not enough to meet their needs.

A Water Development Board (WDB) source said Jamuna River has been flowing around 50 cm below the danger mark in the last two days, though the Bangalee River is still flowing over the danger mark. Recession of flood water creates strong current, causing erosion in the Jamuna basin areas.

The area most affected by erosion is Manikdair village under Chaluabari union of the upazila, where Manikdair Government Primary School and Manikdair Health Centre may be devoured by the river at any time. A few months back, the river was around 500 metres from the school and the health centre.

Ibrahim Ali, an old man in Manikdair char, said he had never seen such erosion by the Jamuna.

A big part of the primary school in Mashipara under Kutubpur union of the same upazila was eroded by the Jamuna in the last week of August.

Another victim, Promila Rani of Rohadaha area under Chandanbaisha union, said the river has devoured her thatched house and she has been living on the flood control embankment with acute shortage of food, medicine and drinking water.

Contacted, Md Zakaria Hossian, upazila family planning officer (UFPO) of Sariakandi upazila, said he had informed the higher authorities after visiting the health centre. "I am waiting for an official order to dismantle the health centre," he added.

Contacted, Ruhul Amin, executive engineer of WDB, Bogra, said some structures are given less importance as the cost of protecting them will be higher than the cost of the structures.

The department has given emphasis on protecting industrial areas, and structures of economic and social usefulness, he added.