The affected areas from the erosion of the Arial Khan and Padma are: Charjanajat, Kathalbari, Sannasir Char, Bondorkhola Boheratola and Nilukhi under Shibchar upazila; Charnachna, Kalikapur, Farajirhat, Mohesherchar, Panchkhola, Kazirtek and Chilachar under Madaripur Sadar upazila; Sahebrampur, Koyarea and Romjanpur unions under Kalkini upazila; and Goalbathan area under Rajoir upazila.
More than 500 houses and three educational institutions went into the gorge of the river following continuous erosion of the rivers in the district due to the flood.
About 20,000 people have marooned in four upazilas and 3,000 people have taken shelter at 21 centre’s for safety.
The erosion of the river Padma takes a serious turn at Bandakhola, Khatalbari and Charjanajat areas under Shibchar upazila.
The River Arial Kha has submerged the low-lying Sanyasi Char, Shiruail, Nilkhi and Baheratala areas. Local administration dumped geo-bags in the river Padma banks to stop the erosion.
A three-storey school building was gobbled up by the swelling Padma River on Thursday afternoon at Nuruddin Madborkandi in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur while a primary school, community clinic and union parishad office face the risk of erosion.
Shibchar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Asasuzzaman said river erosion has turned severe turn in Bandarkhola area and they have shifted locals to shelter centres.
Former Chairman of Shahebrampur union parishad (UP) Asaduzzaman Zamal Mullah said, “The government did not take any steps to rehabilitate the homeless people. The number of floating people is increasing causing socio-economic problems in the district.”
On the other hand, Madaripur town protection embankment is under threat of erosion since cracks have been found at some points of the embankment.
WDB executive engineer Partha Pratim Saha said the district town might be inundated if the rise in the water levels continues. As a result, the flood protection embankment of the town is now in risk.
