Severe riverbank erosion has hit several char areas in Sirajganj as the Jamuna River continues to swell due to upstream hill runoff and persistent rainfall, sweeping away homes, educational institutions, and vast stretches of agricultural land.
According to locals, the Jamuna’s water level has been rising for the past several weeks.
Although the river receded slightly a few days ago, the water level began rising again on Saturday morning, accelerating erosion in several riverine areas.
The worst-affected areas include parts of Chauhali, Kazipur and Sirajganj Sadar upazilas.
In Kazipur, Khash Rajbari and Char Girish have suffered extensive erosion, while Char Salimabad in Chauhali, Purba Bahuka and Kawakola Char in Sirajganj Sadar, and several char areas in Shahjadpur upazila have also been badly affected.
Numerous houses, educational institutions, trees and farmland have already disappeared into the river.
Many residents are dismantling and relocating their homes to safer places, while others remain stranded, facing severe hardship after losing their properties.
Although erosion in Purba Bahuka under Sirajganj Sadar has eased somewhat, it continues unabated in the char areas of Chauhali and Kazipur.
The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) is carrying out emergency protection work in the affected areas.
Local residents alleged that nearly 200 metres of embankment in Chauhali and Kazipur were washed away in two separate incidents last month.
They claimed that the BWDB failed to identify vulnerable sections in time and usually takes emergency measures only after erosion begins, leaving communities exposed to recurring disasters each year.
An official of the district Relief and Rehabilitation Department said financial assistance is being arranged for families affected by the river erosion.
Sirajganj BWDB Executive Engineer Mokhlesur Rahman said the Jamuna’s water level has been rising steadily due to upstream hill runoff.
“The strong current and formation of whirlpools on the riverbed have triggered erosion at different points,” he said.
He, however, said there is no immediate risk of flooding despite the continued rise in water levels, adding that emergency measures are underway to contain the erosion.