The rapid reduction of waters of the River Jamuna in Chikajani union of Jamalpur’s Dewanganj upazila has caused a devastating wave of erosion, putting hundreds of houses and crucial infrastructure at risk of collapse.

In the last few days, 11 houses have disappeared into the river in Khanpara, Majhipara, Palashpur villages. Fearing the imminent threat of river erosion, many residents have evacuated their homes and sought refuge in safer areas.

Although Jamuna erosion has become common for the last 15 years, yet no sustainable measures have been taken to resolve the issue so far. As a result, the river erosion areas of the riverbank have been increasing gradually every year, locals have alleged.

They alleged that the local administration had taken measures to prevent river erosion in neighbouring Kholabari and Barakhal areas, but no measures have been taken in the Khanpara area of the same union due to their partial point of view.

In the Khanpara area of Chikajani Union, already several kilometres of cropland, and houses have vanished into the Jamuna. Although the erosion normally occurs during the rainy season, this year's rapid reduction of water level triggered the erosion amid winter.

The houses of many people including Maizuddin, Hafizur Rahman, Kalu, Limon, Bhuttu, Suruzzaman, Abu Kayes, Akkas Ali, Aminul, Habinur of Khanpara area have been lost in the river. Severe erosion occurred in an area of about three kilometres from Majhipara to Kholabari in the upazila.

Md Hafizur Rahman, a victim of river erosion, said, “Devastating erosion has destroyed my accommodation for two times in three years. I don't have any other land except my current house. Now where shall I go and take shelter? I can’t find any answer. I’m currently living on the banks of the river. At any moment the house will go under. Now all I can see is darkness ahead of me and my three children.”

Shamiul Haque, 45, who was also affected by the erosion, said that his house had been destroyed by the river once before. Any time his current house will also go into the river. No one has taken any initiative to prevent river erosion, no one really cares, he said.

Ataur Rahman Sani, a young man from the area complained that 95% of the people there earn their livelihood through agriculture. Hundreds of bighas of cropland are being lost into the river. Farmers are worried about how they will survive.

“River erosion has been prevented by taking preventive measures in the Kholabari and Barakhal areas of the same union. But no attention was paid to our area. We want to know why no action is taken for us, why no allocation is given here?”

“A few days ago, 4,000 Geo bags were allocated through the Upazila Nirbahi Officer which were not dumped at the erosion-prone areas. Besides, erosion prevention of the entire area is not possible with this small quantity of geo bags. We want a permanent solution to the river erosion.”

Currently, around 250 houses in the Khanpara area are at risk. If the erosion continues, these houses will disappear under the river during this dry season.

In this regard, the Executive Engineer of Water Development Board, Md Naqibuzzaman Khan said, “River erosion occurred in Khanpara and Barakhal areas. On 7 December, the Chief Engineer and Superintending Engineer visited the erosion site, erosion is widespread in the Khanpara area. It will not be possible to prevent this erosion with a small amount of allocation. Requests have been sent to the appropriate authorities to take measures to prevent river erosion. The work will start only when the allocation is received.”