Padma erosion leaves Zajira residents destitute, over 500 families at risk

Severe erosion along the Padma River in Shariatpur's Zajira has washed away shops, roads and homesteads, forcing dozens of families to move their houses as more than 500 others remain at risk.

Seven shops have already been swallowed by the river, while residents have dismantled and relocated more than 50 homes amid fears of further erosion. Kathuria Government Primary School is also under threat.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board has identified nearly three kilometres of riverbank in the area as vulnerable.

During a visit on Wednesday, strong currents were seen hitting the river's right bank, triggering erosion in Kathuria, Mohon Fakirer Kandi and Madhu Beparikandi under Palerchar union.

Residents were moving household belongings and dismantling homes as the river continued to eat into settlements and roads.

A large section of the brick road connecting Palerchar and Majhirghat has already collapsed into the river, disrupting local communication.

Rural Electrification Board workers were also removing electricity poles and connections from areas facing erosion.

Among the worst affected is 82-year-old Malek Gharami, who has already lost 24 decimals of his 28-decimal property to the Padma.

With his remaining homestead now under threat, he is preparing to dismantle his house.

"I don't know where I will go. It is no longer possible to stay here. I am trying to take apart the last thing I have and move somewhere else," he said.

Madhu Beparikandi resident Solem Sharif is facing a similar situation. His tin-roofed house, built after years of hardship while raising three daughters and a son, is now being dismantled.

"I built this house with so much effort. Now I have to take it apart before my eyes. Will river erosion ever stop?" he said.

The Water Development Board is implementing a Tk1,200 crore project to protect 10.67 kilometres of the Padma's right bank in Zajira. Around 53% of work under the project's 39 packages has so far been completed.

Officials said increased water pressure and strong currents during the monsoon have pushed the river's main flow towards the Zajira bank.

A bathymetric survey identified around three kilometres of the project area as particularly vulnerable.

Emergency dumping of sand-filled geobags is under way under Package 12 in Kathuria and Package 8 in Mohon Fakirer Kandi, although locals say the measures have struggled to withstand the current.

Water Development Board Sub-Divisional Engineer M A Shamim said the erosion was being caused by the Padma's strong current and that emergency protection work was continuing in vulnerable areas.

He expressed hope that residents would face significantly less erosion risk once the riverbank protection project is completed.

Shariatpur Deputy Commissioner Tahsina Begum has visited the affected areas and said authorities are preparing a list of affected families.

She said initiatives are being taken to provide food assistance and corrugated iron sheets for rebuilding houses, while homeless families are being advised about possible rehabilitation on government khas land.

The deputy commissioner said the Water Development Board had also been asked to explain the slow progress of the protection project.

Palerchar Union Parishad Chairman Abul Hossain Foraji alleged that delays in completing the project had increased the scale of the damage. He further said efforts were under way to ensure government assistance for affected families.