Bhairab river erosion threatens establishments in Khulna

Hundreds of establishments including bazaars, mosques, Eidgah and houses in Ramnagar area of Rupsha upazila are facing threats of erosion by the Bhairab river.

Already, erosion has rendered several families homeless and forced them to live under the open sky over the last 15 days.

During a recent visit to the affected area, this UNB correspondent found that houses along the river bank in Ramnagar-Customghat have been devoured by the sudden erosion while a serious ruptures on the road have been exposed along the river bank.

Apprehending danger, some locals have left their houses as a vast part of the 90-year-old road has already given way to the river.

Besides, the 110-year-old Ramnagar Old Jame Mosue, Eidgah Maidan, Ramnagar Bazar and its adjacent areas are under the erosion threat.

Sirajul Isalm Khan, general secretary of the mosque’s management committee, said, “I have been living under the open sky with my families for the last four days as the sudden river erosion took away my two houses.”

Nurul Islam Khan, a resident of the area, said, “I’ve lost everything in the erosion as my houses and lands have gone under water in the last five days.”

Kamal Hossain Bulbul, chairman of Noihati union parishad, said due to the sudden erosion, maximum part of the century-old road in Ramnagar-Rahimnagar area went under the river water. “Already I have visited the area. The local administration will provide some bricks and bags but it is insufficient to prevent the erosion.”

He demanded immediate allocation from the administration and necessary steps from the Water Development Board to stop the river erosion.

Nazmul Ahsan, deputy commissioner of Khulna, said, “I will visit the area soon and take immediate steps regarding the matter.”