SIRAJGANJ, Jan 11: About 200 families are in panic for untimely erosion by the Fuljor River in Ullahpara Upazila and the Jamuna River at Thutia Village of Koijuri Union in Shahzadpur Upazila of the district.
In the meantime, the two rivers have devoured at least 20 houses in the said areas. Many people are moving their houses to safer places in fear of further erosion.
While visiting the erosion-hit areas recently, this correspondent talked with people at Tiorhati, Amdanga and Nur Nagar villages under Borohar Union in Ullahpara Upazila and Thutia Village in Shahzadpur Upazila.
The villagers said the erosion began from the start of the dry season. About 20 houses and several hundred bighas of croplands have gone into the rivers.
The erosion is becoming more acute day by day. More than hundred families have moved elsewhere.
Hanif Sarder, Hafiza Begum and Kalachand Sarder of Tiorhati Village said the erosion hits the areas every year.
Local Union Parishad (UP) Member Zia Rahman said the water of the Fuljor River has been reducing for last two months, and with it, the erosion started several days back. If steps are not taken to check the erosion, more 20 to 25 houses and croplands will go into the river.
Chairman of Borohar UP Jahurul Islam Nannu said, "I have visited erosion-hit areas. We will urge the concerned authority to take steps in this connection."
On the other hand, the erosion panic has gripped the people of Thutia Village too. Amirul Islam, Md Sobuj and Tofazzal Hossen of the village said at least 10 houses and about 400 bighas of land have been devoured by the river. Besides, more 10 to 15 houses and about 200 bighas of land are also on the face of erosion.
They alleged that the concerned authority is yet to take any action in this connection.
Executive Engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board in Sirajganj Md Ariful Islam said the erosion began as the water of the river has started to recede. To check the erosion, geo bags have been dumped in the erosion-prone areas.
