SIRAJGANJ, June 24: The water level in the Jamuna River in Sirajganj continues to rise due to heavy rainfall and the downpour of hill torrents from upstream.
Although the river is still flowing below the danger level, the onset of the monsoon season has brought strong current that has already triggered erosion along the Jamuna.
Riverbank erosion has been reported in various areas of Sirajganj Sadar and Chouhali Upazila, both situated along the Jamuna. Everyday, homesteads, crop lands, and trees are being swallowed by the river, leaving many people displaced.
The most severe erosion has occurred in Sadar Upazila and Chouhali. Over the past month, around 120 metres of land at the Char Salimabad point in Chauhali Upazila have already been lost to the river, while in Ratankandi Union under Sirajganj Sadar, 30 metres of riverbank protection embankment have collapsed into the water. In the erosion-affected areas, many homes, markets, schools, madrasas, and other educational institutions are now at risk. To control the situation, the Water Development Board (WDB) is making emergency efforts to prevent further erosion by dumping geo-bags (special sand-filled bags) in the vulnerable zones.
According to the Sirajganj WDB, although the Jamuna’s water rose rapidly from mid-May this year, it is still below the danger mark. However, the water level continues to fluctuate, rising and falling intermittently, and erosion has already begun under these conditions. On Tuesday, the Jamuna’s water at the Hardpoint of the Sirajganj town protection embankment has risen by 20 centimetres and is flowing 208 centimetres below the danger level. Meanwhile, at the Meghai Ghat point in Kazipur Upazila, the water increased by 23 centimetres over the same period and is now flowing 258 centimetres below the danger mark.
In Chouhali Upazila, areas such as Rehai Pukhuria Binanui in Baghutia Union, Dewanganj Bazar, Char Salimabad, and Bhuter Morr in Khaskaulia Union have seen significant erosion, with several hundred feet of land disappearing into the river in some places. Within just one month, many families from at least six to seven villages in Chouhali have lost their homes.
Abdus Salam, a Union Parishad member from Char Salimabad, reported that over 30 houses in his area were washed away by river erosion a month ago. In addition, the recent collapse of about 300 metres of land near Sombhudia Multilateral High School in Baghutia Union has placed around 50 families, educational institutions, markets, and agricultural land in Khaspukhuria and Baghutia unions under severe threat.
Abdul Manik, a resident of Charkanalia Village, said, “I have built houses repeatedly, but the river has taken them away each time. I once owned 50 bighas of land from my forefathers; now I have only a few decimals left. We do not ask for much�"just a permanent embankment.” He added, “We can work and earn our food, but we cannot stop the river erosion. A lasting embankment would save us from this destruction, and at least we could sleep peacefully with our children.”
Meanwhile, due to the rising water, strong currents, and erosion in the Jamuna, about 30 metres of the riverbank protection embankment in the East Bahuka area of Ratankandi Union in Sirajganj Sadar Upazila have collapsed and fallen into the river.
On Sunday (21 June), the WDB began dumping geo-bags in the affected area from morning to check the erosion. Officials from the WDB visited the site on Saturday (20 June) evening after a section of the embankment suddenly gave way around 4:30 pm in East Bahuka.
Moqtal Hossain, a resident of Bahuka Village, said, “Last Saturday afternoon, I was working on land next to the embankment. Suddenly, I saw the riverbank blocks breaking and sinking. Before I could understand what was happening, a large portion had already disappeared into the river. We later informed the WDB.” As news of the erosion spread, local people gathered at the site, with many voicing concerns that the erosion could worsen if swift action was not taken.
Mokhlesur Rahman, Executive Engineer of the Sirajganj WDB, said they are visiting the erosion-hit areas and taking necessary measures. He added that the Jamuna’s water has been rising since 8 June. While an increase in river water during the monsoon is normal, strong currents have triggered erosion in several spots, including parts of the protection embankment.
However, the current situation is stable, he noted, and geo-bag placement has begun to halt the erosion, with work expected to be completed within a week.
