Pabna, Apr 10 (V7N)  - Residents living along the banks of the Jamuna River in Pabna are facing distress due to unexpected and ongoing erosion that has persisted for the past two months. The premature riverbank erosion poses a significant threat to numerous homes, cemeteries, mosques, madrasas, and agricultural lands in the area.

Local inhabitants allege that the untimely erosion is a consequence of sand dredgers extracting sand from the riverbed. While the Water Development Board has already surveyed the affected regions and submitted a project proposal to address the issue, the erosion continues to cause panic among the riverside communities.

A field inspection conducted on Tuesday, April 9th, revealed the alarming situation in Neolaipara village of Notun Bharenga Union in Bera Upazila. The Jamuna River is currently flowing dangerously close to the village, experiencing unseasonal erosion in this char (river island) area. The same precarious situation is also evident in the neighboring villages of Notun Batiakhara and Marichapara.

Approximately 1,000 families reside in these three villages situated on the Jamuna River's edge. Over the past two years, around 500 families have already lost their homes to river erosion, and an estimated 1,000 bighas of land have been swallowed by the river. This year's erosion, occurring well before the typical monsoon season, has left residents deeply concerned.

Locals report that the Jamuna River's erosion has been relentless for the past two months. The strong currents, potentially caused by changes in the river's course, are eroding newly formed chars, inching closer to residential areas and vital community structures.

Imdadul Haque, a resident of Neolaipara village, lamented, "The river was far away before. It is coming closer as it erodes. The river's current was also far away. It is changing its course and flowing into the coastal areas. As a result, erosion has started again."

Expressing their fear and desperation, Saleha Khatun and Majiron Bewa, also residents of the affected area, said, "If this erosion continues, our houses, mosques, madrasas, and cemeteries will be swept away by the river. If the government does not do something, everything will be lost to us." They urgently appealed for measures to prevent further erosion.

Aftab Hossain and Rafiqul Islam from Batiakhara village, along with Matin Hossain of Neolaipara village, pointed fingers at alleged illegal sand extraction, stating, "In the past years, about 1,000 bighas of land have been lost to the river. About 500 families have lost their homes. An unscrupulous group has installed dredgers in the river and is extracting sand freely, which has led to untimely currents. This needs to be stopped."

Superintendent Engineer Sudhanshu Kumar Sarkar of the Pabna Water Development Board (Pawbo) assured that action is being taken. "We have already sent a note sheet to the higher authorities seeking permission to work. We have also spoken to the higher authorities verbally," he stated.

He further added, "Last Monday (April 7) the damaged area was inspected on-site again. During the inspection, permission was obtained to implement the work after talking to the superiors and authorities. We will appoint a contractor in the next two-three days and start the work quickly."

END/SRP/RH/