200 Rajbari families lose homesteads to Padma

200 Rajbari families lose homesteads to Padma. Photo: UNB
200 Rajbari families lose homesteads to Padma. Photo: UNB

The Daulatdia ferry and launch ghats, the gateway to the country’s south-western region, have been threatened by massive erosion of the river Padma.

Various establishments including educational institutions and madrasas were threatened by the large scale erosion on the banks of the river Padma in Daulatdia and Debogram unions of Goalanda upazila under Rajbari.

Homesteads of about 200 families of three villages of Daulatdia have already been devoured. “However, the locals alleged that no effective measures have been taken yet to check the erosion”.

Visiting the Daulatdia and Debogram unions of the upazila, UNB Correspondent found that severe erosion occurred following rise of flood water for the second time. In particular, the erosion affected Molo Para near the number one and two ferry ghats of Daulatdia.

About 200 families moved away to other places in last two weeks owing to massive erosion in the three villages. Homesteads of these families went under the water.

“The water current is striking directly the Daulatdia ferry ghat due to erosion in Molo Para. Various establishments including educational institutions and madrasas are being threatened,” said the local residents.

Many people including Mir Malot, 60, Mojibor Kha, 50, and Joinal Mo Lo, 60 informed that the erosion has increased with the increase of second time flood water for the second time.

“We don’t know where we will go. Within last two months, the remaining more than one hundred families of Dholla Para and about 150 families of Malot Para have moved to other places,” said the people of the area. Their homesteads were also in the riverbed.

Besides, more 450 families are being panicked due to erosion.

Abul Hossain of Molo Para said that homesteads are being devoured within a short time. Those who could afford were moving their dwelling houses. However, many others have no affordability to shift their homesteads to safer place.

Rubaet Hayat Shiplu, UNO, after visiting erosion area said that “Daulatdia ferry and launch ghat would be threatened if the erosion continues. Local parliament member and Rajbari Water Development Board have been informed about the situation and the upazila administration has been asked to take necessary action in this regard”.

Earlier on Sunday, Kazi Keramat Ali, MP of Rajbari-1 constituency after visiting the erosion-affected area said that “It would be tough to protect the Daulatdia ferry and launch ghats if the erosion continues in this way. Necessary directives have been given to Water Development Board to take necessary steps to protect the ferry and launch ghats on emergency basis to keep continue the communication network of the people of the southern region”.

“I will also inform the matter to the prime minister,” he added.