With the recession of water the erosion by the Jamuna and Teesta rivers has taken a serious turn along their basin devouring homesteads and farm land. The most affected are the areas of Sirajganj and Nilphamari districts. In Sirajganj, the erosion has rendered many people homeless in five upazilas such as Kazipur, Sirajganj Sadar, Chowhali, Shahzadpur and Belkuchi. Of them, Kazipur and Chowhali upazila are worst affected. Around 200-meter stretch of Balughugri-Panchthakuri river embankment protection dam, over 100 homesteads, a vast tract of croplands and many installations in the upazilas have been devoured by the river over the past seven days. The strong current flowing down the river has also threatened many other homesteads and important establishments like educational institutions, mosque and health complex.  The erosion-hit people have taken shelter on different vulnerable embankments and roads.
They are leading a sleepless and miserable life in makeshift homes. On the other hand, many people are taking preparation to shift their homes to safer places to escape from erosion. Many affected people said the situation has become severe over the past three days. But, none from the Water Development Board (WDB) have visited the affected areas, they complained. They have blamed the apathy and negligence of WDB authorities for the frequent onslaught of erosion by the turbulent Jamuna.
 Afsar Ali, 40, Rahman Ali, 45, Bakul Mian, 35, Hawa Begum, 40, of Shimla village and Ramzan Ali of Degree Para village in Sirajganj Sadar upazila said many shoals have emerged at different points on the Jamuna river due to recession of water, obstructing smooth flow of water. Consequently, nearby the embankment faces the onslaught of the strong current.  Altafunnesa, 55, a widow of Panchthakuri village, said the river is now flowing from a distance of about 20 meters of her house. The house may be devoured by the river any time, she said adding that she along with her children is passing sleepless night over the last few days.  Nittaranjan Paul, 60, of Jalalpur village in Chowhali upazila, said Jamuna has taken away his homestead making him distress. Currently, he along with his family is living in a makeshift home on the embankment.  Tarikul Islam, Member of local Union Parishad and resident of Shimla village in Sirajganj Sadar upazila, said the WDB has brought two dredgers to change the course of river.
But, most of the time the dredgers remain inoperative, he regretted.  Syed Hasan Imam, Executive Engineer of WDB in Sirajganj, said the erosion has started along the river basin areas due to recession of water, which is a regular phenomenon. “There is nothing to worry about; everything remains under control,” he said adding they have huge stock of geo-sacks and concrete blocks to face any kind of disaster.  In Nilphamari, the Charkharibari Madhopara government primary school, located on the bank of the Teesta river in Dimla upazila, may disappear any time, residents said.
The local people said the river is flowing close to the school. Due to the erosion strong current now slams into the foundation of the new building of 50-year-old institution. There are more than 450 students enrolled in the school.
The headmaster of the school, Md Shahadad Hossain, said it is risky to continue with educational activities. The school remained shut for 15 days during the time of recent flood. He said the situation has not improved despite dumping of sand bags to protect the school from erosion. Those sand bags have been washed away by strong current, he added.  Union Parishad chairman Md Rabiul Islam said the concerned authorities have been informed that measures should be taken immediately to save the school and improve the situation.