Jamuna erosion puts 20,000 Bogra people in peril

BOGRA, July 16: A massive erosion of the Jamuna River at Charalkandi, Pakulla, Purbo Sujaitpur, Asarpara, Shampur and Bolail village of Pakulla union under Sonatola Upazila of Bogra district threatens around 20,000 people in this rainy season.

The river protection barrage has also been damaged due to illegal sand lifting from the river as well as heavy rainfall from the very beginning of the rainy season. As a result, around 12 villages, several educational institutions, clubs, cultivable cropland and houses of the area are about to be flooded anytime.

Every year the residents of the area lose their houses and lands due to river erosion. People of those areas are living in a vulnerable situation. The locals claimed that few days ago a crack was detected in the barrage.

The inhabitants of the area said that they informed the authorities of the matter several times but they did not take any step in this regard. They demanded for a permanent dam for saving the people, their lives and properties.

While visiting the area this correspondent found, a large part of the barrage was seen damaged. A teacher of Sayed Ahmed university collage said, "The crack was found in the dam and Charalkandi, Pakulla, Purbo Sujaitpur, Asarpara, Shampur and Bolail villages are threatened in this season."

While contacted, Upazila Nirbahi officer Habibur Rahman said, a little fracture has been spotted in the dam. It will be repaired without any delay.

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