Mahananda river erosion brings new woe

Receding floodwaters have brought no relief to the residents of Sundarpur union in Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila. The Mahananda river has gobbled up at least 50 houses over the past few days thanks to continuous ersosion of its banks.

Moreover, a mosque, mango orchards covering several hundred bighas of land, and bamboo bushes, too, have been washed away by the river, local sources say.

Fifty more houses are said to have become vulnerable as the river appears to be in a sullen mood over a three-km stretch, the sources add. Several families are moving to safer places nearby, while others are camping on other people’s land.  Locals have been trying to check the erosion by placing bamboo fences along the bank, but their effort are too feeble to hold back the river.

Officials of the Water Development Board (WDB) visited the spot, but they are yet to take measures to counter the erosion, according to the sources.

Towhidul Islam, a resident of Dewantola under the union, said the erosion started around 20 years ago, but it had stopped a few years back.

However, it resumed again in full fury after the floodwaters receded about a week ago, he added.

Victims of the erosion said that their houses have been swept away by the river.  The suddenness of the erosion had not given them time to shift their valuables, they lamented.

Syed Shahidul Alam, WDB executive engineer in Chapainawabganj, said he visited the erosion-hit areas. He, however, added that there was hardly any scope for taking any urgent measure.

Mahananda river erosion brings new woe

Receding floodwaters have brought no relief to the residents of Sundarpur union in Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila. The Mahananda river has gobbled up at least 50 houses over the past few days thanks to continuous ersosion of its banks. Moreover, a mosque, mango orchards covering several hundred bighas of land, and bamboo bushes, too, have been washed away by the river, local sources say. Fifty more houses are said to have become vulnerable as the river appears to be in a sullen mood over a three-km stretch, the sources add. Several families are moving to safer places nearby, while others are camping on other peoples land. Locals have been trying to check the erosion by placing bamboo fences along the bank, but their effort are too feeble to hold back the river. Officials of the Water Development Board (WDB) visited the spot, but they are yet to take measures to counter the erosion, according to the sources. Towhidul Islam, a resident of Dewantola under the union, said the erosion started around 20 years ago, but it had stopped a few years back. However, it resumed again in full fury after the floodwaters receded about a week ago, he added. Victims of the erosion said that their houses have been swept away by the river. The suddenness of the erosion had not given them time to shift their valuables, they lamented. Syed Shahidul Alam, WDB executive engineer in Chapainawabganj, said he visited the erosion-hit areas. He, however, added that there was hardly any scope for taking any urgent measure.