Unabated erosion of the Jamuna River in Bera Upazila of Pabna is forcing riverside communities into a state of acute anxiety, as agricultural land, homes and critical infrastructure continue to disappear into the riverbed.
Residents of Kalayanpur Char, Char Singhasan and Baktarpur under Puran Varenga Union, as well as Nowlaipara in Noya Varenga Union, say they are living under constant threat as the riverbank collapses day after day.
Field visits to the erosion-hit areas on Wednesday showed that severe erosion has been ongoing for nearly a month, with Kalayanpur Char among the worst affected. Locals say the river is advancing rapidly, eroding land dangerously close to a mosque, a power substation and a submarine electricity cable line serving the area.
The cable, located barely 50 feet from the active erosion front, has raised fears of a wider power disruption that could leave thousands without electricity if damaged.
Locals estimate that around 200 bighas of farmland have already been lost to the Jamuna in the past month alone, leaving many farmers landless and financially distressed.
“I have already lost around five bighas of cultivable land. I have nothing left to farm now,” said Kashem Pramanik, a farmer from Kalayanpur Char. “We are living in constant fear and uncertainty.”
Residents of Nowlaipara say the situation has become increasingly unbearable, with families unable to sleep at night as they fear further collapse of the riverbank.
“Every night we fear the river will take our homes,” said Shafikul Islam. “We want urgent government action before the damage becomes irreversible.”
Local Union Parishad member Rezaul Karim said erosion has already consumed around 100 bighas in Kalayanpur Char alone over the past month. He warned that continued erosion could soon threaten religious institutions, homes and key infrastructure in the area.
“There is panic across the locality as farmland, housing and vital installations are all at risk,” he said, calling for the immediate construction of a permanent embankment.
Bera Water Development Board Executive Engineer Zahidul Islam said erosion-prone areas are under constant monitoring. He added that around 12,000 geo-bags have already been dumped in affected locations under two emergency protection packages.
“Erosion control work is ongoing and will be intensified further if the situation demands,” he said.
As the Jamuna continues to shift its course, residents along its banks remain caught between uncertainty and fear, watching their land slowly slip away.
