BOGRA, Sept 17: Around 250 families of Sariakandi upazila in Bogra district have become homeless following the recession of flood water in the Jamuna River as it has eroded vast areas of four unions and threatening cropland, schools, markets and union health centre.
The hospital, where the sick and ill patients get safety, also has eroded by frequent floods from the last month.
Though, they have taken shelter on high land, they are suffering due to lack of food, drinking water, and fodder for the domestic animals in the area.
The relief materials, sent by the government the flood affected people are not enough to meet their demand and needs. A Water Development Board (WDB) source said Jamuna River has been flowing around 50 cm below the danger mark in the last two days, though the Bangalee River is still flowing over the danger mark.
Recession of flood water creates strong current, causing erosion in the Jamuna basin areas.
The area most affected by erosion is Manikdair village under Chaluabari union of the upazila, where Manikdair Government Primary School and Manikdair Health Centre may be devoured by the river at any time.
A few months back, the river was around 500 metres from the school and the health centre was constructed. An elderly farmer Hasan Molla, 56, son of Zulfikkar Hossain in Manikdair char area said, he had never seen such erosion by the Jamuna in his lifetime.
A big part of the primary school in Mashipara under Kutubpur union of the same upazila was eroded by the Jamuna in the last week of August. Another victim, Rony Das of Rohadaha area under Chandanbaisha union, said the river has devoured her thatched house and she has been living on the flood control embankment with acute shortage of food, medicine and drinking water.
Contacted upazila family planning officer of Sariakandi upazila Md Zakaria Hossian said, "I had informed the higher authorities after visiting the health centre."
"I am waiting for an official order to dismantle the health centre." he added.
Contacted, Ruhul Amin, executive engineer of WDB, Bogra, said some structures are given less importance as the cost of protecting them will be higher than the cost of the structures.
The department has given emphasis on protecting industrial areas, and structures of economic and social usefulness, he added.
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