6 villages under threat of erosion

Around 1,500 families of six villages in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj have been passing their days in fear of erosion of their homesteads by the Moheshkhola river as its bank collapsed at seven points a few days ago.

If immediate steps are not taken to repair the damaged sections, the entire bank will soon be devoured by the river, the villagers fear.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found families in Isamari village living under threat of erosion as the river was flowing just below the danger level near the embankment. Bajli, Dakkhin Sreepur, Uttar Bangsikundo, Dakkhin Bangsikundo and Uttar Sreepur villages were also under threat.

The river devoured about 25 houses of the village due to the collapse of the banks in different times, Bashir Miah said, adding that they were in constant fear of losing their lives.

"We could not cultivate our land last year as saline water entered the croplands during the rainy season," said Abdul Majid, a farmer in Dakkhin Bangsikundo.

Moin Uddin Monju, 45, said he hasn't slept in days due to fear of collapse of the embankment. The men of the village have been guarding the embankment by turn at night, he added.

Dharmapasha Upazila Chairman Abdul Mutalib Khan said he does not have any budget for repairing the banks of the Moheshkhola river.

"Farmers had to count loss as their vegetables and boro paddy in vast areas were flooded by tidal flow. We had earlier demanded repair of the vulnerable flood control embankments, but to no effect," Mutalib said.

 He said if immediate steps are not taken to repair the damaged sections the village could be washed away any time.

Executive Engineer of Water Development Board in Sunamganj Md Ashfar Uddin said he would send officials to visit the spots to assess the situation, but no repair can be done immediately due to a lack of funds. He said he would send a letter to the higher authorities after the investigation, seeking funds for repair work.