Erosion by the Meghna River has taken a serious turn over the past two days, devouring one kilometer of road in Bhola, rendering about 200 families homeless and forcing the authorities to suspend ferry services on Bhola-Laxmipur route.
Sources said people with their belongings have moved to safety. Owners of shops from near the Ilisha ferry terminal are also shifting their goods elsewhere.
About 200 village houses in Rajapur and Ilisha unions have been washed away by the river, sources said.
Ferry services on Bhola-Laxmipur route have been declared suspended for indefinite time as the ferry cannot be anchored at the pontoon due to strong current.
 Abu Alam, manager of BIWTC Ilisha ferry terminal, said loading and unloading of transports is impossible due to strong current.
  Sources said although the water development board and its contractors dumped sand bags in erosion affected area to protect river bank, but locals are not happy with their work.  Unless the river erosion is checked two lakh people will suffer, and two bazaars, and eight educational institutions near the area could not be saved. Mostafa member, 60, Shajan Mia, 65, and Kanchan Mia, 65, of the affected area said about two kilometres of river bank from ferry terminal area of Rajapur to Biswa road of Ilisha union are worst affected now.
   When contacted, Abdul Hekim, water executive engineer of Bhola said they are supervising the work round-the-clock. He said about 500 metres of river bank is most vulnerable, and they are continuing dumping sand bags to protect river bank from erosion.