United News of Bangladesh

With the advent of the monsoon, riverbank erosion along the Surma has intensified alarmingly, posing a grave threat to the Chatak-Andhariganj-Sunamganj road, a vital communication lifeline for thousands in the region. Local residents have voiced growing concerns that large sections of the road may collapse into the river at any time, severing a crucial transport route that links several communities. The road, already weakened by the devastating floods of 2022, had shown some signs of recovery after repair works commenced in late 2024 under the supervision of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED).  But, a fresh erosion is now rapidly undoing those efforts. A recent visit by the UNB correspondent revealed that the erosion has reached an alarming stage near the mazar (shrine) adjacent to Mallikpur Government Primary School. Surma River to be dredged to save Sylhet city from flood: State Minister for Water Resources Over the past three to four days, the river has edged perilously close to the paved sections of the road. The situation has worsened with the partial collapse of the western approach to the Machukhali Bridge, heightening fears of a major accident if immediate protective interventions are not made. Locals have reported visible cracks in the newly repaired stretches of the road, with some parts already beginning to subside. “The road is at high risk of being washed away, which would leave the surrounding communities completely cut off,” said a resident of Mallikpur. People from Mallikpur and Machukhali have appealed to the authorities to act without delay. They are calling for strong, lasting measures to curb the erosion and protect the road from further degradation. When contacted, Md Rafiqul Islam, Upazila Engineer of Chhatak, said he has visited the erosion-affected areas and acknowledged the severity of the situation. Surma River flowing over danger level in Sunamganj “Necessary steps will be taken promptly to prevent further damage,” he assured. As the river continues to encroach, residents remain on edge, hoping that urgent action will save the road that connects their lives, livelihoods and essential services.

Rising water levels in Kurigram’s rivers have triggered severe erosion along the banks of the Brahmaputra, Dharla and Teesta rivers, leaving residence in despair.A recent visit to the affected areas revealed extensive damage even before the full onset of the monsoon.Erosion has taken a serious turn in different villages including Mollarhat, Rasulpur and Koddar Mor in Ulipur upazila while in different parts of Kurigram Sadar, Chilmari, Rajarhat, Roumari, and Rajibpur upazilas.Locals said over 100 homes, farmlands and trees have been devoured by the rivers for the past several days while roads, educational institutions, mosques, madrasas, and community clinics are now under threat.Locals living along the riverbanks said timely protection measures could save both private and public properties from further destruction.Intermittent rainfall over the past week has raised water levels in low-lying areas, inundating farmland, they said.The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said approximately 300 hectares of crops have gone underwater.“I had planted peanuts on three bighas of land and now it’s all submerged,” said Khalek, a farmer of Gorai Piar area in the Teesta basin under Ulipur upazila.“I’m harvesting the crops with the help of others while standing in knee-deep water. The sudden rise in water has caused a huge loss,” he said.Nur Alam, a resident of erosion-hit Begumganj union, said many affected families are relocating their homes.“Some have taken shelter in neighbors’ houses, while others are living under the open sky. Despite holding human chains and protests, no effective solution has come yet,” he added. Bridge to Nowhere: Dhanagoda riverbank erosion leaves Chandpur Road in ruinsBegumganj Union Parishad Chairman Babul Mia warned that without immediate action to prevent erosion the residents may be completely destitute.Kurigram Water Development Board Executive Engineer Rakibul Hasan acknowledged the ongoing erosion at 10 to 12 points in the district. “Necessary measures are being taken in the affected areas,” he said.

Erosion by the Dakatia River has intensified in Bagadi Union under Chandpur Sadar upazila, putting hundreds of families and vast stretches of cultivable land at grave risk. Locals said the erosion has been going on for nearly two decades, but its severity has increased in recent weeks, threatening over 500 houses across 200 families, alongside many farmlands. A visit to the affected areas revealed that the erosion has already devoured one kilometre of riverbank, washing away homes and croplands in Nanupara, Nijgachtala and nearby villages. Residents said the situation worsens during the dry season when the river’s current becomes stronger. In a bid to draw attention to the crisis, villagers formed a human chain along the riverbank in Nanupara last Thursday, demanding immediate action to halt the erosion. Shahjahan Patwari and Shahadat Talukder, two local farmers, said they once had extensive farmlands where they grew crops every season. “Now, most of it has disappeared into the river. If this continues, there will be nothing left to cultivate next year,” said Shahjahan. Majeda Khatun, Hanufa Begum, and Rowshan Ara Begum, who also joined the human chain, shared how they had lost their ancestral homes to the river over the past two decades. They said they had repeatedly approached local representatives for help, but no concrete action was ever taken. Chandpur’s Haimchar riverbanks protection dam faces erosion threat

Normally the river erosion occurs in the monsoon, but surprisingly some 50 to 60 families of two unions in Jagannathpur upazila of Sunamganj have lost their homesteads and other establishments over the past few days. The unseasonal erosion has taken a serious turn in the Kushiyara River for factors blamed on rampant soil cutting from the riverbanks for brick kilns.   Forty residents have relocated their establishments to save those from the erosion and many are still residing under the open sky. Many are still living on the riverbanks risking their lives. On the other hand, some left poles of houses and fences on homesteads hoping that those wouldn’t be affected.     Mongla Port Development: Work on Pashur Channel Dredging begins Besides, over 300 families of the unions, religious establishments, including mosques, temples, graveyards and cemeteries, and schools are under the erosion threat, caused after some influential took away soil from the river banks for brick kilns. Those yet to be affected are passing sleepless nights fearing the river erosions, urging the authorities concerned to take immediate measures to halt it. It was learned that the river is breaking intermittently from the Zero Point of the Raniganj Bridge of the river to Purbo Jalalpur, Bhangabari, Baghmaina for the past few months, swallowing up three to four kilometers of land. Visiting several areas of the unions, it was found that one Al Amin of Sonatala village in Pailgaon union and Faruk Mia, owner of Shapla Brick Field in Raniganj union, were illegally taking soil from the river banks. Locals alleged that Al Amin was selling soil regularly without caring for the administration. Erosion was going on in the Balisree and Bagmaina areas. Khulna farmers reap rewards from mustard cultivation, honey production Though GO bags have been thrown off the erosion continued, said the locals. Promod Das, a resident of Raniganj village, said he had a house but it had been swallowed up by the river at night. Bulai Robi Das, another villager, alleged that land grabbers were cutting soil from the riverbanks every year, resulting in the erosion. The land grabbers were doing the same job. Kalpana Rani Das said, "Who will build our house? We (husband and wife) both live in a small room. I may not be able to stay the night (Sunday). The house will be broken into the river. I can't say how we will stay, how we will live, who will feed us.” Seeking intervention from the administration, Balishi village’s Ashraful Haque said they held a human chain demanding an end to the erosion but had no cooperation from the Water Development Board and the Administration. Lamenting for the villages, Pailgaon Union Parishad’s Chairman Md Nazmuddin alleged that they apprised the Upazila Nirbahi Officer of the matter but no actions had been taken yet. Water Development Board’s Deputy Assistant Engineer Sabju Kumar Shill said they threw some GO bags into the river to resist the erosion.   Naogaon farmers make a fortune on mustard and honey Regarding the soil cutting, he warned that actions would be taken against those responsible.     Engineer Sabuj said they prepared a project, which is waiting for the final approval, to address the problem permanently by throwing GO bags and Blocks. Upazila Assistant Commissioner (AC-Land) Riyadh Bin Ibrahim Bhuiyan said they learned about the soil cutting from the riverbanks and assured of taking action against the accused. He ordered the authorities to look into the matter soon.

Gobindganj-Dasghar road in Sunamganj’s Chatak upazila has gone into the gorge of the Boterkhola River due to severe erosion, leading to the complete halt of vehicular movement on the road. A portion of the 500 feet concrete road collapsed into the river in the Singua area of Gobindganj Saider Gao Union last week. Read: Chandpur town protection embankment faces erosion threat again The road served as the lone means of movement of the residents in 50 villages of the upazila, and it has caused immense sufferings to them. The affected villages include Krinchnagar, Harinagar, Shyamnagar, Govindanagar, Nakhrakali, Malikandi, Dasghar, Lakshipur, Bindpur, Barachal, Khalagao, Bhugli, Banarshi, Bagin, Dakshin Para, Uttara Para, Chhaila, Shiran, Alampur, Banglabazar, Digalbak, Nowapara, Srinagar, Kahalla, Auli and others. Read more: Barguna’s Betagi town protection embankment threatened by river erosion amid ‘authorities’ apathy’

Fear has gripped the residents of Betagi municipality of Barguna, as the main town protection embankment is under erosion threat due to the alleged negligence of the authorities concerned. The road constructed on the town protection embankment on the west side of the Launch Ghat has developed big cracks at several places, causing concern over the safety of the adjacent areas. It has left thousands of traders and residents living in fear, especially amid the threat of Cyclone Mocha over the Bay. The Indian Meteorological Department has recently issued a warning about the possible formation of a cyclonic storm called ‘Mocha’ in the southeast Bay of Bengal, which has caused uncertainty about the longevity of the protection dam. Also Read: Many embankments turn vulnerable in Khulna’s Koyra; Fear grips residents Local said the slow progress of the erosion control project has aggravated the situation. Previously, erosion by the Bishkhali river destroyed launch ghats, port, small factories, jute shops, houses, businesses, and public and private institutions, paddy fields, mosques, and madrashas. And now, the dam, upazila parishad complex, passenger camp at launch ghat, hundred years old traditional Kali temple, mosques, and the rest of the municipality are in danger. In 2017, a project was approved to protect the municipality and then secretary to the local government division Abdul Malek laid the foundation stone of the project.  The project was halted and the foundation stone is the only visible work of the project. Also Read: Cyclone Sitrang: Flood protection embankment is at risk in Bagerhat Last year, the Executive Committee of the National Ecomic Council (ECNEC) approved a project worth TK 404 crore to protect the municipality and other important areas from the erosion by the Bishkhali river. But Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has not yet started the project work. The delay in the project has caused anger and frustration among the local residents. The tender process for the protection project is ongoing, according to the WDB Barguna office. Also Read: Khulna: Embankment collapses again Abdur Rob, a labourer who lives on the banks of the river, expressed his fear for the upcoming monsoon season, saying “I don't know what the future holds for us. The way Bishkhali is eroding right now, I can’t imagine what will happen after the monsoon and cyclone ‘Mocha’”.  Md. Sohail Howladar, the owner of Jhalkathi Engineering Workshop, said that erosion has been increasing in the area adjacent to his shop for the past few months, with the crack in the paved road dangerously close to his establishment. He said that it is only a matter of time before his shop disappears into the river. Abdul Halim, owner of a sawmill in Kath Bazar, expressed his frustration at the lack of progress by authorities, saying that “Locals have to travel through many alternative routes. I have been hearing for a long time the work will start. But I don't see any progress.” Betagi Municipality Mayor ABM Golam Kabir said, “The Betagi protection dam project was halted but I hope it will start soon.” WDB’s Barguna district’s executive engineer Md. Rakib said he has inspected the condition of the dam. “The matter has been brought to the attention of higher authorities. Necessary measures will be taken for immediate repair of the dam, and the re-tendering process will be initiated soon,” he said.

Illegal sand lifting from the Gorai river in Faridpur has continued for the past two months – posing erosion risks and displacement of those living by the river. Shah Asaduzzaman Tapan, chairman of Dumain Union Parishad under Madhukhali upazila, has been allegedly lifting sand at Dumain ghat, while a company named MNZ Bricks is said to be extracting soil out of a recently formed char close to Kheyaghat in Rayzadpur. On a recent visit to Dumain ghat and the char where local farmers cultivate vegetables, UNB’s Faridpur correspondent saw dredger machines and piles of sand on the bank of the river in both places. A dredger machine driver at Dumain ghat said they extract 8,000 to 10,000 square foot of sand per day. Also read: Illegal sand lifting endangers vast track of farmland

In the 12 years that he has been the priest of a small temple by the mighty Brahmaputra, Ranajit Mandal had never witnessed the river’s fury like this. Not only the temple, but the 50 homes in his native Murkata village were washed away in a matter of days. “I feel like the earth has given way under my feet now. I have been the temple’s priest ever since it was built, I feel really lost now,” Mandal said. Read more: COP27 climate talks begin as world grapples with multiple crises

Around 400 houses across four villages of Shahjadpur upazila in Sirajganj have been gulped by the Jamuna river in the past one week, officials said on Friday. “Some 400 houses, including 30 of the Ashryan project, have tumbled into the river. Pakurtala Primary School, a mosque and other buildings on the riverbank are now at risk,” said Nasir Uddin, sub-divisional engineer of Sirajganj Water Development Board (WDB). “The receding waters of the Jamuna river are causing erosion,” he said. Also read: Flood situation worsens in parts of Sylhet The WDB engineer said that Shahjadpur, Chauhali, Belkuchi, Kazipur, and Sirajganj Sadar upazila’s low-lying and char areas still remained flooded on Friday. "Many of the important roads also remained under water, disrupting vehicular movement. People are also facing drinking water crisis," he added. Similarly, around 9,106 hectares of Ropa Aman, jute, sesame and other crops have been damaged in the flooded region of the district, according to an officer of district agricultural extension department. Also read: Flood situation improves in Kurigram Shahjadpur upazila nirbahi officer Tariqul Islam said he has already informed the WDB about the extreme erosion and the need for taking adequate steps.

More than 50 houses have been washed away by the Teesta River in two unions of Rajarhat  upazila  in the last 45 days. Heavy rainfall and the onrush of the upstream water triggered the Teesta river banks erosion, rendering many people living on the river banks homeless. Hundreds of bighas of cropland, trees, ponds, and mosques have also been affected by the river erosion.  People of the area have become helpless as the authorities concerned are  yet to take any preventive measures to stop river erosion, said locals.     Only two kilometers of the 43 kilometers river banks have been protected while the rest area remained unprotected.  As a result, houses, trees, and cropland are washed away every year.  Educational institutions, bazars and mosques and temples are under threat of erosion, they said. Currently, river erosion has taken serious turn in 6 kilometers area in Gharialdanga and Bidyananda unions of the upazila.  The Water Development Board is trying to save the river banks by dumping geo bags in the river as temporary measures. A total of 17 houses of Bogurapara, Ramhori, Kitabgaon, and Burirhat have been devoured by the  Teesta River recently despite the efforts of the Water Development Board. Locals have urged the authorities concerned to save their houses and other establishments from the river erosion. Mondol Ali, son of late Bande Ali of Kitab Khan village under Bidyananda union, said, “We live on the bank of Teesta. But there is no option expect dumping geo bags to control the river erosion. I have no idea how we will survive here.  We have no idea how long we can survive here.” Meheron of Ramhori village of Gharialdanga said, “River has taken all of my properties including cropland. I have sold trees worth Tk 5 lakh only at Tk 90,000 fearing the erosion in the Teesta River.  If the river washes away my house, then we will turn homeless.” Abdul Baten, UP member of No. 1 ward under the Gharialdanga union said, the measures taken by the Water Development Board are inadequate to protect the 6-7 kilometers long area from the river erosion.  Also read: Relentless Garai erosion leaves many homeless in Jhenaidah