Padma devouring arable lands in Goalanda

Erosion by the Padma River has taken a serious turn in the last couple of weeks, devouring more than 50 acres of arable land in the upazila.

Locals said the monsoon rain and rise of water level in the Padma River triggered the erosion at Chhotovakla union of the upazila, putting hundreds of families at risk of being uprooted.

During a visit to the erosion- affected Char Borat area of the union found most of jute, paddy and vegetables lands went into the gorge of the river.

Many people have shifted their houses and belongings to save those from river erosion.

However, Rajbari Water Development Board (WDB) is trying to protect an embankment and road in the area using stone blocks.

Jashim Khan, 35, a resident of Char Borat area, said, “I cultivated two bighas of land and harvested paddy from one bigha  but the another bigha land  with crops was devoured by the Padma.”

Siraj Khan of the area said, “We have long been demanding steps to prevent erosion but nobody paid heed to the demand.”

Chhotvakla Union Parishad Chairman Amzad Hossain said Charborat, Chhotojalo and Goramara are the worst affected areas.

WDB Deputy Assistant Engineer Arif Sarkar said, “We have been trying prevent erosion using stone blocks in Ontarmor area.”