Continuous rainfall and onrush of water from upstream have increased the flow of Padma River, creating severe erosion along the riverbanks.
The Nazirganj Ferry Ghat in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna is facing an imminent threat, as several areas along the river have already been swallowed up by the water.
Locals now fear losing their homes to the encroaching river.
On Tuesday, during a visit to the area, it was observed that the eastern side of the ferry ghat had experienced significant erosion, with the riverbanks crumbling into the water.
The erosion has spread over several kilometres from the ferry ghat, and it is now dangerously close to the main pontoon of the ferry ghat.
Residential areas are just a few yards away from the eroding riverbank, adding to the growing anxiety among the locals about losing their homes.
Local residents Saiful Islam and Abul Kashem Sheikh shared their concerns, saying, “On the western side of the river, large concrete blocks have been placed to protect the banks, but the eastern side remains unprotected. Erosion has been happening for years, but this time it seems to be much more severe.”
Locals alleged that the erosion took a severe turn due to a lack of preventive measures during the dry season and the absence of riverbank protection strategies.
They also pointed to the illegal sand extraction activities around the ferry ghat as a major contributing factor to the erosion. According to the residents, the unregulated sand extraction has worsened the situation, making the riverbanks more vulnerable.
Tofazzal Hossain, port officer of the Nazirganj Ferry Ghat under the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), held the administration accountable for the situation.
He said, “According to the agreement, we were supposed to receive the land for the ferry ghat in 2023. However, the UNO or the DC has not handed over the land yet, and because of this, we are unable to make any improvements to the ghat. If this continues, the ghat will soon be submerged.”
When contacted, Sujanagar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mir Rasheduzzaman Rashed assured that efforts would be made on an urgent basis to address the erosion and protect the ferry ghat.
“We are taking immediate steps to mitigate the damage caused by the erosion,” he said.