Erosion by the mighty River Padma in Rajbari’s Kalukhali upazila has turned severe over the last few days. The erosion has been going on in Harinbaria, Laxmardiya, Char Ramnagar, Bhabanipur and many other villages under Ratandia union of Kalukhali upazila over the last seven
day days.
Many houses, cultivable lands and other important establishments including educational institutions have already gone into the Padma in a week, according to media reports. Besides, some educational institutions are likely to be devoured into river anytime.
Erosion by the rivers continues, destroying crops lands, houses, trees, habitats, important establishments, road communication and leaving many people destitute across the country. The government has identified 54 riverbank erosion risky areas in 22 districts analysing long-range weather forecast.
Many people become homeless and landless as the country experience riverbank erosion every year. As this is a common disaster event of Bangladesh, the government is preparing the 100-year long delta plan for ensuring better management of water resource.
The
government must take planned
and effective measures
to combat river erosion
In February this year, the minister for water and resources had said the government would work fast ahead of the upcoming monsoon to prevent river erosion across the country. However, erosion by the rivers Padma, Jamuna and Brahmaputra continued in different places of Shariatpur, Gaibandha and Bogura and Jamalpur districts.
The erosion took a serious turn in the places along the riverside areas in the last weeks. Riverside people across the country are passing sleepless night as they fear river erosion can eat up everything and leave them destitute in a moment.
The mostly erosion vulnerable districts are Bogura, Tangail, Rajbari, Faridpur, Madaripur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Sirajganj, Manikganj, Pabna, Bogura, Kushtia, Rajshahi.
Crop lands, embankments and dams, many points of highways, village roads and, habitats, large number of shops, houses, religious institutions, educational institutions and important establishments including hospitals have already gone into the rivers in the last five decades.
Victims have to live under the open sky as their dwellings were washed away by the river erosions. They face huge losses as their croplands have also been washed away.
Apart from the government, the relevant non-government organisations and experts must find out riverbank erosion prone districts to avert damages of farming land and other properties.
In this regard, permanent projects must be taken quickly after identifying the vulnerable areas. The government must take planned and effective measures to combat river erosion.
