Manikdair village in the Sariakandi upazila of Bogura district is facing serious river erosion caused by Jamuna River where more than 300 houses and 200 acres of cropland were swallowed by the river over the past two months.
Hundreds of families living along the riverbank and over 200 shop owners in the Manikdair Bazar area are passing sleepless nights, fearing the loss of their homes and livelihoods as the erosion worsens.
Local residents said Manikdair are being affected by river erosion for several years. Many villages, countless homes, and hundreds of acres of arable land have already been swept away by the river. Due to the erosion, Manikdair Bazar was relocated 2 kilometers eastward a few years ago, yet the erosion is now gradually reaching that location as well. Manikdair Government Primary School, a cluster of villages, and a Ashrayan project are located near the Manikdair Bazar. Around 200 families live there. Currently, the river erosion point is just 200 meters from the market and within 400 meters of the school and cluster of villages.
According to the locals, the market, school, and a cluster of villages may vanish into the river within the next two or one months if the erosion continues at this rate.
Tajul Islam Badsha, Chairman of Chaluabari Union Parishad (UP), said crops are cultivated on several thousand acres of land in the area across three seasons. This area is especially famous for the production of chilies. Farmers earn huge amounts of money by selling chilies. A few days ago I visited Manik Dair erosion area with UNO.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shahriar Rahman said the situation caused by river erosion has become very serious. I informed the matter to the Deputy Commissioner and Water Development Board officials.
I have already surveyed the erosion area and informed the higher authorities, said Abdul Malek, Sub-Assistant Engineer of Water Development Board (BWDB) of Sariakandi Sub-Divisional Engineer Office.
Nazmul Haque, Executive Engineer of Bogura Water Development Board, said the board is being contacted urgently to address the crisis.
