The massive and unabated erosion in the River Padma has posed a serious threat to the Rajshahi town protection embankment, officials and others concerned said.
In the wake of rising floodwater in the mighty river, erosion is continuing at different places especially Sonaikandi, Noboganga, Bulanpur, Char Taranagar, Khidirpur and Khanpur.
Panic runs high amid the people of the areas.
Nazrul Islam, chairman of Haripur union council, said the river erosion took a serious turn in around five-kilometer area with the rising floodwater in the Padma.
Houses of around 500 families were reportedly facing the erosion threat at present, he added.
If this situation continues, he apprehended that hundreds of dwelling houses along with schools, mosques and crop lands would be washed away.
‘The erosion has eaten up vast tract of crop
fields, especially those of paddy and jute,’ said Nazrul Islam.
Control room officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board reported 17.20 metre water level in the Padma on July 1 while 9.5 metre on June 1 last.
In Sonaikandi, the city’s western part, the erosion is massive because of strong current.
Likewise, the erosion has taken a severe turn in three-kilometer area from Berpara to Noboganga via Sonaikandi where two big embankments are located to protect the city.
`If the erosion continues, the embankments might be breached,’ Shahabuddin, superintending engineer of BWDB told New Age.
Other areas along the river, particularly Taranagar, Khidirpur and Khanpur are also facing serious threat of the erosion as the areas have hundred acres of standing crops and mango orchards.
-With New Age input
