Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
Scary erosion has started in No. 5 Sara Ghat area located on the banks of Padma River in Ishwardi. There is a fishing village next to Sara Ghat. There is panic in Jelepalli as massive erosion has started for the past few days. There is no sleep in the eyes of the villagers due to the fear of erosion.
It was once widely known as one of the country’s upland river ports established during the British period. There is no sign of a river port in the terrible erosion of the Padma. About one and a half kilometers north of Hardinge Bridge and Lalon Shah Bridge, this Sara Ghat is under the influence of erosion and is now on the way to collapse.
There are 7 km of river protection dams within the 8 km area of the river bank from Arambaria in Sara Union of Ishwardi to Hardinge Bridge in Paksey Union. Only about 1 km of Sara No. 5 ghat area has no embankment. Last year, about 50 feet area of Sara Ghat disappeared under the river. A part of the government-built house of Sara Matsya Samity went into the river on Wednesday night to be demolished. The entire house may be swept away by the river. The shops around it can also be wiped out at any time. The distance from the river to the homestead is now only 15 feet. If steps are not taken to prevent erosion, there is a risk of house collapse.
Erosion has started in that area as the course of the river has changed. Locals blamed unplanned sand mining in Padma for the change in course. According to UNO, the course of the river has changed due to accumulation of silt at the mouth of the main channel.
Ghat Fishery Association President Abul Kashem (70) Janan on Thursday morning said there is a seven kilometer river protection dam at the north and south ends of Sara Ghat No. 5. When the rainy season comes, our fear of erosion begins. This time the situation is very dire. The all-consuming Padma has come closer to the homestead. This time the homestead may disappear. I spend the day very worried.
Businessmen Milon said that most of the people in the area are very poor. About 3,000 residents of the area, including Jele Palli, are in dire straits. If the father-grandfather’s residence disappears under the river, he will have to sit on the road. No one sleeps at night. We have protested many times to local people’s representatives and water development board officials for the construction of the dam. I have also made human chain, but there is no initiative to build a dam.
Asit Halder, Leader of Jela Palli, said that the chairman-members often see the erosion, but do not take initiative to prevent the erosion. The officials of the Water Development Board walked away. Will they build a dam after our houses disappear into the river? To whom will we talk about our problems? Who will listen to us?
Local UP member Mohammad Rafiq said that the people of Ghat No. 5 area are very worried. The course of the river has changed and erosion has started here. Hardinge Bridge and Lalon Shah Bridge are just one and a half kilometers away. 500 meters east is Ishwardi EPZ. These structures may also be threatened by the change in the course of the river. Pubo authorities have been informed, what will we do if they do not take action.
Chairman of Sara UP Emdadul Haque Rana Sardar said that the houses and shops of Ghat No. 5 are under extreme threat. Houses will disappear into the river at any time. Only one kilometer of Ghat No. 5 area is not embanked. I don’t understand why the pueblo authorities are not building the dam. He said that he has repeatedly informed the UNO and Water Development Board engineer about this matter. The authorities of the town have measured the banks of the river for the construction of the dam, but have not yet taken any action. Livelihood of about 3 thousand people here is facing crisis.
Ishwardi UNO PM Imrul Kayes said that due to the accumulation of silt in the main channel of the river, the erosion has started in that area due to the change in the course of the river. Moreover, the intensity of the current is also strong. In this regard, there was a discussion about river governance along with seven kilometers of river Veramara prat. He said that senior officials of the Water Development Board visited the affected areas on Wednesday.
Sarwar Jahan, Executive Engineer of Water Development Board, Pabna, said in this regard, I myself went to Ghat No. 5 area of Sara. When the river started to erode last year, the erosion was prevented by dumping geo bags there. The construction of the dam has been informed to the higher authorities.
