The river Jamuna has begun to change its course westward as its banks in Sirajganj and Bogura continue to erode away.
Meanwhile, a 217-km long protective embankment along the western side of the river has been thrown into jeopardy as the ongoing erosion has forced the inhabitants of the affected areas to relocate near the barrier.
As people seek to establish settlements, they have begun ploughing the land in the area, weakening the embankment in the process.
Furthermore, rodents like mice have followed them to their new surroundings, adding to the concerns surrounding the embankment.
Bogura’s Sarikandi Upazila along with several parts of Sirajganj’s Shahjadpur Upazila is now at risk of being engulfed by the river.
The authorities in both districts have taken up different projects to prevent river erosion, some of which have proved to be fruitful.
Despite the initiatives, people remain in constant fear about their future.
The 217-km long embankment stretching from Kaunia Rail bridge to Bherakola in Pabna was constructed between 1963 to 1968, said Mahbubul Rahman, executive engineer of Bogura Water Development Board.
“The embankment plays an important role in preventing floods, but many parts of it get damaged every year due to human activities. People dig along its slopes and build shacks there, weakening the dam.”
When the massive task of keeping the embankment in good repairs cannot be fulfilled, the weaker parts of the dam crack, allowing the river water to flood the nearby localities.
Not enough help is available to address the problems with the embankment during the monsoon season, said Mahbub. The local authorities mostly engage contractors to make the emergency repairs while paying them later for their services.
Source: bdnews24.com
