The erosion of the Madhumoti River in the Amdanga area of the northeastern part of Lohagara Upazila of Narail has taken a terrible turn. The river is eroding for about three kilometers; a procession of people has been lost.
This season, more than a hundred homes, a mosque, several hundred acres of cropland, and various structures have been submerged in the river. At least 300 more families, the Amdanga Government Primary School, and the village's paved road are at risk of erosion.
Locals complain that the Water Development Board (Paubo) has tried to temporarily prevent river erosion by placing sand-filled geo bags, but the situation is not improving significantly.
The affected people have demanded the immediate construction of permanent embankments to protect their homes, farmlands, and important structures from erosion.
On Tuesday (October 27), signs of erosion were seen along the north bank of the Madhumoti River in the Amdanga area of Joypur Union in Lohagara Upazila. The tops of coconut, betel and banana trees are visible at various places in the river about 30 to 40 yards away from the river bank. The branches of these trees are swaying in the strong current. Where there were once human settlements, courtyards and trees, there is now river water. The last sign of human settlements that have lost their land are some isolated trees and the remains of courtyards.
Locals complain that Amdanga Government Primary School and the village's paved road are also under threat due to erosion. The Water Development Board is trying to prevent erosion by placing sand-filled geo bags. However, this initiative is not enough compared to the severity of erosion over an area of about three kilometers.
River erosion is not a new phenomenon for the residents of Amdanga village on the banks of the Madhumoti River. According to locals, "Erosion intensifies as the river flow increases during the monsoon season. Hundreds of acres of cropland, countless homes and various structures have been submerged in the riverbed due to continuous erosion over the past decade. This has left many families in the area destitute."
The victims complain that the river has been continuously eroding for about two months in the current season. Every year, when the erosion is severe, the Water Development Board tries to temporarily stop it by throwing sandbags. But since there is no permanent solution to the erosion, they have to face the same situation again in the next season.
Bappi Sheikh, a resident of Amdanga village, said, "Every year we face river erosion. Last season, at least 80 houses in the village were submerged in the river. This season, erosion has been going on for more than two months."
Ahid Munshi from the same village said, "This year the river has swallowed my land. My house has been destroyed twice in three years. This year, the homes of at least 100 families like mine in the area have gone into the river. Despite repeated visits to the Water Development Board, no measures have been taken to build a permanent dam."
Another resident named Insan Molla said, "This year, his cropland and houses were all washed away in the river. He is now living a very difficult life with his children."
The locals have lost not only their homes and farmlands but also their religious structures due to the river erosion. Monsur Molla, who was affected by the erosion, said, "Last week, the large one-story mosque in the area disappeared into the river before our eyes. We could not do anything. Now, there is no good mosque for the people of the area to offer prayers."
Locals said that the homes, trees and numerous croplands of at least 100 families, including Habibur Molla, Murad Molla, Samchunnahar Begum, Rekha Khanam, Ilu Vender and Shahidul Molla of Amdanga village, have been submerged in the river this season.
Joypur Union Parishad Chairman Md. Saiful Islam Sumon said, "Several villages in the union are facing river erosion. Among them, the situation in Amdanga village is the worst. Although the village is subject to erosion every year, there is no significant progress in the construction of a permanent dam. The matter has been reported to administration officials at various times." He demanded the immediate construction of permanent shoreline protection dams in the affected areas.
Narail Water Development Board Executive Engineer Abhijit Saha said that erosion in the area has intensified due to the flow of river water during the monsoon season for the past few years. He also blamed sand mining for the river erosion to a large extent.
He also said that emergency temporary activities are underway to prevent erosion. A proposal has been sent for a 1,700-meter permanent shore protection project to prevent erosion in the Amdanga area. Once the project receives final approval, initiatives will be taken to implement permanent shore protection measures in the area, the official said.
