Home swallowed by river in Dhaleshwari erosion, 15 families in Sirajdikhan in fear
Photo: Collected
At least 15 families of Boro Barta village in Keyain union are spending their days in fear amid severe erosion by the Dhaleshwari river in Sirajdikhan of Munshiganj. One dwelling house, along with its furniture, has already disappeared into the river in the strong current. At least 15 more homesteads are at risk.
In sudden river erosion yesterday, Sunday afternoon, Gafur Sheikh’s tin house went into the river along with its furniture. Having lost their home before their eyes, the family has become helpless; they did not even get the chance to remove most of the belongings of the house.
Gafur Sheikh said, ‘The river bank suddenly began to break. Before we could understand anything, the house went into the river. There was no chance even to take out many of the belongings of the house. We are now under the open sky.’
Local residents said erosion has appeared in the area over the past few days due to the strong current of the Dhaleshwari. Every day the river bank is breaking and the water is advancing towards the homesteads. They fear that several more houses may disappear into the river at any time because of this.
Victim Nadim Hossain Anik said that on one hand there is the strong current of the river, and on the other sand is loaded and unloaded on about 15 to 20 bulkheads every day in the area. This is creating pressure on the river bank and increasing the erosion. He fears that if this continues, his house too may go into the river within a day or two.
The erosion-hit families and local residents have demanded that effective measures be taken quickly to protect the river bank. They fear that if swift steps are not taken, one homestead after another may disappear into the river.
In this regard, the Sirajdikhan Upazila Nirbahi Officer said the Water Development Board has been spoken to and prompt action will be taken on behalf of the administration.
