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The Dhanu River has turned turbulent suddenly during this spring as it devoured the Rasulpur market adjacent to Khaliajuri upazila headquarters in Netrakona district.
Now Rasulpur village and a large tower of rural electrification board (REB) adjacent to the village are also under threat of erosion.
Ali Hossain, a sweetmeat seller at Rasulpur Ferry Ghat, said, "Roads and agricultural land were being eroded by the Dhanu River. A market in Rasulpur has already been eroded by the river. Rasulpur village and a tower of rural electrification board are on the brink of falling into the river."
Basudeb Sarkar, in-charge of the Rural Electricity Complaint Centre in Khaliajuri Upazila, said, "The large rural electricity tower in Rasulpur was threatened by the erosion of the Dhanu River. The matter has been informed to the higher authorities."
During a recent visit, this correspondent found that the Rasulpur area of Mendipur union of Khaliajuri is very close to the Dhanu River. A paved road next to this village has also already vanished into the river. Due to continuous erosion, the area of the river is gradually expanding and the vast highlands here are decreasing.
Khaliajuri Upazila Parishad Chairman Rabbani Jabbar said, "The area is being eroded every year by the mighty river. There is an urgent need to prevent river erosion."
Khaliajuri Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) AHM Ariful Islam said, "The issue of erosion of the Dhanu river in different areas of Khaliajuri upazila has been raised at the meeting of the district development committee and it has also been informed in writing. The development committee has also written to the higher authorities concerned to take necessary steps to prevent erosion."
Netrakona District Water Development Board Executive Engineer ML Saikat said, "After conducting survey, mega projects should be undertaken to protect the area from erosion of the Dhanu River. If funds are allocated with the approval from the higher authority, the river erosion can be prevented."