Erosion by Jomuneshwari river rages on in Rangpur

RANGPUR, Mar 10: A good number of dwelling houses and a vast tract of cropland in two villages of Badarganj upazila of the district are set to disappear into the gorge of the Jomuneshwari as erosion by the river is raging with its usual savagery.

Locals said erosion by the river has turned grim as a section of influential people have been lifting sand illegally from its different points by using dredgers.

Every day, they sell around 12 to 15 truckloads of sand extracted from the river illegally.

Per truckload of sand is sold at Tk 600 to Tk 850, locals said, adding the local administration has been informed about this, but nothing was done so far to stop the illegal practice.

Mizanur Rahman of Madhaikhamar area said the river had engulfed his house and 10 decimals of land last year.

Under the present circumstances, local people have urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to stop lifting sand from the river as soon as possible to save their lives and properties from erosion.

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