Charghat, Apr 10 (V7N)-  An unexpected and intense wave of river erosion has struck Charghat in Rajshahi during the dry season along the Padma River, causing widespread panic among riverside residents. Over the past few weeks, the riverbanks adjacent to Gopalpur and Chandanshahar villages in the upazila have collapsed, devastating agricultural land and posing a severe threat to riverbank protection dams, houses, and other structures.

A visit to the erosion-affected areas revealed that the fierce Padma River has been relentlessly eroding agricultural land for an extended period. Many residents have already lost their farmlands and homes to river erosion over the years, leaving them impoverished. While erosion is typically observed during the rainy season, the severe erosion occurring in this exceptionally dry period has placed immense pressure on the existing river protection dam. Locals fear that if the dam breaches, approximately 5-6 villages along the riverbanks, including Chandanshahar and Gopalpur, could be submerged during the upcoming monsoon season.

Local residents allege that illegal and unplanned sand extraction from the Padma River during the previous government's tenure altered the river's course, leading to this untimely and severe erosion.

They reported that about 1 kilometer of riverbank, approximately 100 feet wide, adjacent to Gopalpur village and ward no. 9 of Chandanshahar Municipality, has already broken away and disappeared into the riverbed. Furthermore, cracks have appeared in another 100 feet of the riverbank. These cracks are progressively damaging the riverbank protection dam, jeopardizing several hundred bighas of agricultural land across an area of about 3 kilometers. Despite the low water levels, the erosion continues unabated, fueling fears among those living along the river that this dry season erosion could escalate dramatically during the monsoon. Consequently, the local population is urgently demanding effective measures to prevent further erosion before the rainy season commences.

Local resident Rafiqul Islam, among others, expressed frustration over the lack of action despite assurances from various public representatives over the past 19 years. He stated that despite promises to address the life-threatening erosion, no concrete steps have been taken. The community now hopes that the current government, along with the local administration and the Water Development Board, will prioritize effective measures to protect their land and livelihoods before the monsoon arrives.

Partha Sarkar, Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Water Development Board in Rajshahi, assured that the river erosion area would be inspected on-site as soon as possible and that effective measures would be implemented to prevent further damage.

END/RAR/RH/