Jamuna erosion hits Tangail as floodwater recedes

With floodwater receding, erosion has started, unleashing panic among the dwellers of Jamuna banks in Tangail. 

A number of dwelling houses, other structures and vast track of croplands in Sadar and Bhuapur upazilas were devoured by the Jamuna river in the last couple of weeks.  

The erosion-hit people alleged that despite repeated pleas, the authorities concerned are yet to take any effective steps to check erosion.

They also said that indiscriminate sand extraction from the riverbed with powerful dredgers is another reason for the erosion.

Fresh erosion has started at the riverside villages in Tangail Sadar upazila after receding of the floodwater.

Many structures including homesteads were devoured by the river in the last several days. Besides, over hundreds of establishments are facing Jamuna erosion threat.    

Jahangir Alam of Mahmudnagar union said erosion by the river is devouring the croplands and houses in the locality every year but no effective steps are yet to be taken to protect the area from erosion.

He added that the authorities do some works to check the erosion during the rainy season but it is nothing but waste of public fund. It is not possible to check erosion of the river like Jamuna by dumping some sand bags.

"We the residents of riverside areas have been demanding to construct a dam to protect the areas permanently from the erosion but nothing has done in this regard so far," he added.   

Meanwhile, erosion has started at Bhalkutia, Khanurbari and Kostapara villages in Govindasi union of Bhuapur upazila after receding of the floodwater.

A number of dwelling houses have already gone into the river and many numerous structures are now facing erosion threat.  

Contacted, Tangail Water Development Board Executive Engineer Sirajul Islam said necessary steps will be taken to check the erosion as soon as possible.