Suddenly the dyke erosion of the mighty Jamuna River has created fear among the people of Sonatola  upazila in Bogura. After receding, the water in the river, severe erosion has occurred on the river bank. The Water Development Board is trying to stop the erosion even by throwing geo bags filled with sand in some places.

Many have lost their homes and become disoriented. The graves of many ancestors, including fathers and grandfathers, have also been washed away in the river. This has created a new fear among the people of the river. The victims sought urgent government intervention to stop the river from eroding permanently.

Due to the decrease of water in the Jamuna River, it has been found out that for the last few days in Sonatala Upazila of the district.

In a recent visit at Mirzapur, Purba Sujaitpur, Radhakantpur, Amtali, Musharpara, Aucharpara, Mohabbaterpara, Jantiarpara, Sarlia, Purba Tekani, Chukainagar area the correspondent found some parts of those villages have disappeared from the map due to continuous erosion of the river. More than three hundred people of Aucharpara and its surrounding areas have shifted their homes along with the haat-bazaar.

Locals said that the depth of the river has decreased due to the lack of excavation of the river Jamuna for a long time. As a result, hundreds of acres of arable land, trees, and houses are disappearing into the river every year during floods and after floods. The Water Development Board does not take any action during the dry season to prevent river erosion, but even in the monsoon season, it tries to prevent erosion by piling geo bags and bamboo.

Deputy Assistant Engineer of the Water Development Board Hasanuzzaman, said, “We have thrown some geo bags into the river in Mirzapur for immediate needs.”  “I hope that this will prevent erosion.” he added.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Srikrity Pramanik said negotiating with Water Development Board; the urgent initiatives will have been taken.