Severe River Erosion Threatens Jhalakathi Villages

Continuous rain and high tides at the onset of the monsoon have triggered severe erosion along the Sugandha and Bishkhali rivers in Jhalakathi. Hundreds of families across at least 10 villages in Nalchiti upazila including Sarai Diakul and Kistakathi are facing the imminent loss of their homes croplands mosques and madrasas.

For 50 years communities along these riverbanks have repeatedly lost their land to the advancing waters forcing many into homelessness. Despite this recurring devastation locals complain that authorities have failed to construct sustainable embankments. While the Water Development Board (WDB) has placed temporary geo-bags in some areas, highly vulnerable villages like Behrampur, Shatpakia, Sarai, and Barikran remain completely unprotected.

The psychological toll on the community is profound, with some residents expressing fears that they no longer even have land left for burial grounds.

During a recent visit to the affected Gurudham area, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Dr. S. M. Ziauddin Haider assured residents that initiatives for a permanent solution to protect lives and property are underway. Meanwhile WDB Executive Engineer AKM Niloy Pasha confirmed that a regional development project is currently active. He noted that preliminary surveys for additional erosion-prone zones have been completed and are awaiting final approval to begin preventive work.

As the rivers continue to swallow their livelihoods the threatened residents are urgently demanding immediate permanent interventions to save their remaining lands from disappearing.