Gopalganj Correspondent
The terrible erosion of the Madhumati River from Manikhar Bazar to Madhupur in Urfi Union No. 7 of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila has been a cause of panic for villagers for several years. This year, the speed of erosion has increased several times due to the increase in river water and the intensity of the current during the rainy season. This is like a deadly wound. Every day, homes, farmland, mosques, madrasas, and rural roads are disappearing into the riverbed. According to local sources, at least 100 families in the area have become homeless in the past two months. Many have taken shelter in relatives’ homes, while others are living in temporary houses in open fields. Partha Das of Manikhar said, “Last year too, some land went into the river, but this year the erosion seems to be unstoppable.” “My agricultural land and homestead have all been washed away by the river,” said Majed Sardar, village police officer of Madhupur village. “Every day I feel like the river might take our house away today. I am very afraid for my wife and children.” Locals complain that despite the Water Development Board and other relevant authorities visiting the site several times to inspect the erosion, no one has taken any effective measures to prevent it. There is extreme anger among the victims and local residents as no decision has been made to build a permanent dam or take any preventive measures. Expressing anger, the victims said that even temporary measures like dumping sandbags on a temporary basis to prevent erosion every year become ineffective in the face of the monsoon currents. Monir Gazi, chairman of Urfi Union Parishad No. 7, said, “The situation is dire. “We have contacted the district administration and the Water Development Board. If immediate action is not taken, hundreds more families will be affected.” When contacted on mobile phone to inquire whether any immediate measures will be taken to prevent river erosion, Gopalganj Water Development Board Executive Engineer SM Rifat Jamil told our correspondent that the problem of river erosion in the area from Manikhar Bazar to Madhumati has been long-standing and a DPP has been sent to the concerned ministry for a permanent solution. It did not get approval in the last fiscal year. We have sent it again this year. If the permission and funding from the concerned ministry are received, it will be possible to work permanently and sustainably. Although every year we throw away sand-filled geo bags, this year the intensity of erosion has increased, and several houses and trees, along with cropland, have already disappeared into the riverbed. Upon receiving the news, a team from our team immediately went to the area and inspected the river erosion. We have informed the higher authorities about the matter and, if we get permission from the authorities, we will try to control the situation by placing sand-filled geo bags in the area to prevent erosion on an urgent basis.