Erosion by Dakatia renders many homeless in Chandpur

Onslaughts of erosion by the Dakatia River are taking a heavy toll on both infrastructure and agriculture in a neighborhood adjacent to Chandpur town.

During a recent spot visit, this correspondent came to know that a vast tract of land has been devoured by the river in the last few months at Roghunathpur village in Dhalirghat area - on the outskirts of the district town.

A tributary of the Meghna River, the Dakatia bifurcates Chandpur town and runs through it adding to the surrounding beauty and providing fresh air to the townspeople.

Then it flows in a series of zigzag beside Roghunathpur and Dhalirghat areas under Sadar upazila flourishing the rural hats and bazars' trade and commerce.

While talking the FE, a few locals - Shahaeb Ali , Alam Akhand , Sharif Hossain and Barek Bepari said this year due to heavy and incessant rainfall accompanied with gusty wind, the river level is rising and devouring homes and adjoining lands day after day.

Due to unrelenting erosion by the Dakatia in the last 8 years since 2017, over 100 families have become homeless and moved elsewhere.

Some of them have arranged housing as permanent shelters at comparatively safer places in their nearly surroundings.

At present, more than 500 families are living at vulnerable erosion points amid constant threat of further loss and damage.

The sand-filled bags dumped by the Chandpur Water Development Board authorities are also rolling down the riverbed under the impact of strong current.

The affected people are trying to save their homes and homesteads by erecting bamboo enclosures but in vain.

Even a few family graveyards as old as 70 to 80 years have disappeared into the gorge of the eroding river.

Local residents are passing days and nights amid great anxiety. They are also worried about their upcoming future.

It was observed during a recent visit that Roghunathpur High School, Roghunathpur Government Primary School, local Jame Mosque premises, a few ancient house structures, Roghunathpur Bazar, graveyards and many establishments were also on the verge of collapse for the ongoing erosion.

Talking to the FE, Chandpur WDB's Executive Engineer Md Jahirul Islam said, "We have visited the erosion points recently. All the affected areas fall within the Chandpur town protection embankment. So when the dam's permanent work will start, all the vulnerable points will also come under permanent protection."

People are looking forward to a quick start of the construction work of the dam.

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