Severe river erosion has occurred in various areas of Sonagazi upazila located at the bank of Musapur Choto Feni River after the Musapur regulator in Noakhali collapsed during the recent flood in August.
Hundreds of houses, farm land, orchards and roads have already gone into the gorge of river due to river erosion. More houses and land are also at risk. Villagers fear widespread damage to the area if urgent measures are not taken to control the river erosion.
The locals said as there is no regulator in Musapur at present, many areas in Chorchandia, Chardarbesh, Bogadana and Char Majlishpur unions in Sonagazi upazila located at the bank of Choto Fen River are affected by river erosion. Various roads, bridges and culverts have already been swept away by the river.
At least 20 areas in the upazila have been affected by the river erosion in the past two months. However, no measures were taken to prevent the erosion, the locals said.
Rani Das from Aurakhil Daspara village said she is moving her some of her belongings from her house. the river was about one and a half kilometers away from their house. Since the Musapur regulator broke and was swept away in the river during the sudden flood in August, water entered their homes with the tide. As the tide receded, severe erosion began.
Another resident of village Kamal Uddin said Ten years ago, his house was washed away by the river. He now lives on someone else's land. Now, river erosion is also occurring in this village. So far, two-thirds of the village area has been swept away. If the erosion continues at this rate without any measures being taken, there is a risk that many homes will be washed away within a few weeks.
Section Officer of Feni Water Development Board AM Rocky said the higher officials were asked to visit the areas of Sonagazi upazila that were affected by river erosion and take necessary measures regarding the issues.
When Sonagazi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Kamrul Hasan, were asked about the river erosion, he said after the Musapur regulator was engulfed by the river, severe erosion occurred in the entire Sonagazi upazila. Hundreds of homes, roads, and various structures have already been swept away. The district administration and the Water Development Board have been informed to take immediate action on the matter.
