SIRAJGANJ, Sept 09: Due to recent erosion by the Jamuna river, over 125- km long village and town protection embankment in Gaibandha, Bogura and Sirajganj district has been damaged, causing serious problem for thousands of people of the both sides of the river.
Executive engineer of Water Development Board (WDB) in Gaibandha district Muklesur Rahman said some 50- km dam has been damaged due to river erosion.
"The amount of losses is estimated to be around Tk 250 million. We have sent letters to the authority concerned seeking adequate fund. After getting fund we would be able to take the initiative to repair the embankment", the official added.
Nolchhia and Gobindapur villages under Holdia union and Kathur village under Jumarbari union in Shaghata upazila of Gaibandha district are the worst sufferers due to the recent river erosion.
Farmer Nizam Sheikh, 45, son 0f Motraz Ali Sheikh at Kathur village of Jumarbari union under Shaghata upazila of Gaibandha district said he cultivated banana on 50 decimals of land this season spending Tk 30,000.
"My orchard was inundated by Jamuna water. All of my saplings were damaged completely", he added.
He also said now he is thinking hopw to pay the loan in due time as all of the saplings of banana have been damaged with impact of recent flood.
Farmer Abu Fazol Mondal and Abdul Bareshh Bepari at Gobinadapur village in Gaibandha district said prolong flood-like situation has washed away their tin-shed homes. They are living in a temporary room with the family members.
According to Bogura WDB office sources, with the prolonged river erosion in the mighty Jamuna, some 44- km long village and town protection dyke has been affected seriously in the district.
Besides, some 12- km dam on the Bangalee river bank and some 5.0- km dam on Karatoa river bank have been damaged partially.
Meanwhile, the authority concerned has sent letters to the high official seeking fund. But, Tk 7,500 million has been allocated to reconstruct the dyke and dredging of the river. Of the amount, Tk 3,200 million has been allocated to construct the new dyke and Tk 3,300 million for river dredging.
On the other hand, some 10 to 12 points of the Bangalee river dam has been damaged partially and they have taken immediate steps to check the erosion, said affected farmer Soleman Hossain under Dhunot upazila of Bogura district.
After recession of water of mighty Jamuna river at Bhandarbari union under Dhunat upazila of Bogura district, erosion has taken a serious turn.
About 300 metres at the right bank conservation project in the area had already disappeared. Due to the ongoing breakdown, the people beside the Jamuna bank are in extreme panic.
Chairman of the Bhandarbari union Atiqul Karim Apple, said the water level of the Jamuna River has started to fall but erosion began at different spots of the region. He also said with the decrease in water, the speed of drought has also increased.
According to the Water Development Board (WDB) in Sirajang source, about 20- km dyke in the district has been damaged due to river erosion. The amount of loss may be arount Tk 80 million.
Jamuna erosion has forced shifting of homes of hundreds of inhabitants from Chouhali and Shazadpur upazilas under Sirajganj district.
Vast tract of prospective croplands have already been disappeared by the erosion of the River in the area. Inhabitants of these upazilas alleged that erosion has turned serious in the areas as influential people lifted sand indiscriminately from the river using dredgers.
Executive Engineer of WDB Md Shafiqul Islam said they have already sent a project proposal to the ministry for holding emergency works to recoup erosion losses. Work will be started after getting fund from the ministry, said the official.
