Erosion turns serious in Pabna, Sirajganj as Jamuna swells
Nagarbari ferry ghat also faces threat as connecting road starts eroding
Swelling with rain water, the Jamuna River devours vast areas at Raghunathpur point in Pabna district. The photo was taken yesterday.Photo: STAR
With rise of water level due to monsoon shower, Jamuna River and its tributaries are devouring vast areas of Pabna and Sirajganj districts. The erosion in Jamuna causes the huge sufferings to the people of 10 villages in Puran Varenga union in Bera upazila under the district while Nagarbari Ferry ghat is facing threat as the concrete road connecting Nagarbari ferry ghat has started eroding, reports our Pabna correspondent. Massive erosion by the Jamuna that started four or five days ago has affected areas in Nagarbari, Khanpura, Raghunathpur, Gonopotadia, Madhupur, Munshiganj, Protappur, Sarosha, Paina, Nayangang, Tarutia and the adjoining villages, locals said. As the Jamuna River is devouring metres of lands everyday, people are trying to shift their houses. “The erosion by Jamuna River is affecting a large area. The lone concrete road connecting Nagarbari ferry ghat is threatened as the river is swelling rapidly. The road as well as Nagarbari ferry ghat will be devoured if the erosion continues,” said Bera Upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO) Md Lal Hossain. “We have visited the spot and reported to the higher authorities about the matter. The local administration with the help of local people are putting sand bags at Raghunathpur point to prevent erosion,” the UNO said. Immediately steps should be taken here to prevent the ongoing erosion, the UNO added. Water Development Board (WDB), however, is yet to take any step in this regard. “We have visited the spot. But we do not have any project here,” said Md Harunur Rashid, executive engineer of WDB in Pabna. Our Sirajganj correspondent reports: Many villages and low laying areas in Jamuna shoals of five upazilas in Sirajganj district have engulfed, as the water levels of Jamuna and its tributaries Korotoa, Fulzorh, Ichhamoti and Bangala have increased due to onrush of water from upstream and heavy rains in the last few days, causing apprehension of fresh flood. About 5000 people have confined by water in different shoals of the five upazilas like Kazipur, Sirajganj Sadar, Belkuchi, Shahzadpur and Chowhali. Many affected people have started leaving their houses and they are taking shelter on different flood control embankments, roadside places and highlands. They are also fighting with misery. While visiting Kawakholar Char and Mesrar Char yesterday, this correspondent found many people shifting their houses to safer places. Water Development Board officials said Jamuna River will engulf more areas as the water level is likely to rise for the next few days, although the water is now flowing below of the danger mark. They further said, due to strong current of the river, many points of different embankments and eight spars have become vulnerable. Two-storied building of Natuarpara Degree College has already went into the Jamuna. Kaizuri flood shelter has become vulnerable. Vast areas of paddy, jute and vegetable fields in the shoals have gone under water, Agriculture Extension Department sources said.
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