Erosion threatens main Bogra embankment

11 October 2009, 17:00 PM

Hasibur Rahman Bilu, Bogra

Villagers look on bleakly as the Jamuna River continues devouring areas in Sariakandi upazila of Bogra district.Photo: STAR

Erosion by River Jamuna has taken a serious turn in Sariakandi and Dhunat upazilas of Bogra, threatening over three-kilometre long main embankment on the west side of the river. Sources at the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said 2.2 kms of main embankment from Titporol to Antorpara and one km from Daripara of Sariakandi upazila to Shourabari of Dhunat upazila are under threat due to the erosion in last 10/15 days. “If we fail to protect the main embankment from erosion at Antorpara, River Jamuna may merge with River Bangali and the joint flow may hit the access road of Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge on the west side of the river,” said Md Momtaz Uddin, executive engineer of BWDB. Merger of the two rivers will be catastrophic for the entire region, which may affect the Jamuna bridge also. Approach road on the western side of the bridge may be disconnected from the mainland in flood season. The flood control embankment at the downstream may be washed away by floodwater, experts observed. The authorities concerned meanwhile have started protection works in Antorpara and Titporol areas, Momtaz Uddin added. “If BWDB fails to ensure separate flows of Jamuna and Bangali rivers, the previously completed embankment protection project worth Tk 130 crore will be fruitless,” he pointed out. To protect the embankment, another project proposal of Tk 130 crore has been submitted to the authority, he said. According to BWDB, at least 45 families have been rendered homeless in Sariakandi due to the recent erosion while local sources said at least 200 families have shifted their houses in Sariakandi and Dhunat upazilas because of the natural disaster. At least 18 families have shifted their houses from Antorpara under Sariakandi upazila Saturday morning due to river erosion, locals said.