Bhola

Erosion by River Meghna threatens cluster villages

Cluster villages built to provide shelter to the destitute in Gazipur cluster village have been devoured into the river Meghna rendering about 100 families homeless again.
River erosion has taken a serious turn over the past two to three days in Ilisha and Rajapur areas of Bhola. The nearby Ilisha Johnson Bazaar has been threatened by the erosion.
Hundreds of panic-stricken families, including 200 traders, in the century-old bazaar area have been passing sleepless nights in fear of erotion by the river.
 About 250 homesteads were devoured by the River Meghna in Biswa Road area, Gazipur cluster village and Rajapur union during the last four days.
Destitute Kulsum, 35, Jorina, 55, and Abdul Ali, 55, of Gazipur cluster village said they do not know where they will take shelter and how they will survive.
Now, the river is only 100 metres away from the Ilisha Johnson Bazaar, where about 200 traders are still continuing their business in panic.
Moulvirhat Hossainia Senior Madrasa, Gazipur High School, Ilisha Islamia Model Degree College, Rajapur High School, Nizam Uddin High School, Ilisha Islamia Fazil Madrasha and nearby 10 government primary schools are now under threat of erosion.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahamed have visited the spot thrice this year and directed the authorities concerned to take measures to control the erosion at any cost.
Local victims alleged that the situation had not improved due to negligence of officials of Bangladesh Water Development Board and delay of dumping of sand bags in the river bank by the contactors.
They have demanded supervision of the work by army personnel.
Mofijul Islam, Principal of Moulvirhat Hossainia Senior Madrasa, said if the Johnson bazaar and educational institutions are devoured by the River Meghna thousands of families will be rendered unemployed and homeless in this area over the next few days.
When contacted, Abdul Hekim, executive engineer of WDB in Bhola, said they are continuing dumping of sand bags in the erosion affected river bank; but it is showing no effect.

Bhola

Erosion by River Meghna threatens cluster villages

Cluster villages built to provide shelter to the destitute in Gazipur cluster village have been devoured into the river Meghna rendering about 100 families homeless again. River erosion has taken a serious turn over the past two to three days in Ilisha and Rajapur areas of Bhola. The nearby Ilisha Johnson Bazaar has been threatened by the erosion. Hundreds of panic-stricken families, including 200 traders, in the century-old bazaar area have been passing sleepless nights in fear of erotion by the river. About 250 homesteads were devoured by the River Meghna in Biswa Road area, Gazipur cluster village and Rajapur union during the last four days. Destitute Kulsum, 35, Jorina, 55, and Abdul Ali, 55, of Gazipur cluster village said they do not know where they will take shelter and how they will survive. Now, the river is only 100 metres away from the Ilisha Johnson Bazaar, where about 200 traders are still continuing their business in panic. Moulvirhat Hossainia Senior Madrasa, Gazipur High School, Ilisha Islamia Model Degree College, Rajapur High School, Nizam Uddin High School, Ilisha Islamia Fazil Madrasha and nearby 10 government primary schools are now under threat of erosion. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahamed have visited the spot thrice this year and directed the authorities concerned to take measures to control the erosion at any cost. Local victims alleged that the situation had not improved due to negligence of officials of Bangladesh Water Development Board and delay of dumping of sand bags in the river bank by the contactors. They have demanded supervision of the work by army personnel. Mofijul Islam, Principal of Moulvirhat Hossainia Senior Madrasa, said if the Johnson bazaar and educational institutions are devoured by the River Meghna thousands of families will be rendered unemployed and homeless in this area over the next few days. When contacted, Abdul Hekim, executive engineer of WDB in Bhola, said they are continuing dumping of sand bags in the erosion affected river bank; but it is showing no effect.