Early Monsoon Erosion Ravages Jamuna Banks

The mighty Jamuna River has intensified its erosion along several riverbank communities in Sirajganj even before the onset of the peak monsoon season, leaving many families homeless and heightening concerns among residents living in vulnerable char and riverside areas.

One of the latest victims is Molla Saiful Islam, an auto-rickshaw driver from Char Salimabad in Chauhali Upazila. Within a single day, the river swallowed his house, which was his only asset. Already landless, Saiful lost his home entirely when it collapsed into the Jamuna on Thursday, 4 June.

Saiful’s case is not isolated. According to local representatives and affected residents, numerous houses, agricultural lands and trees have been lost to river erosion across five to seven villages in Chauhali Upazila over the past three weeks. The erosion has been particularly severe in Bhuter Mor of Khas Kaulia Union, and in Binanui, Rehai Pukhuria, Dewanganj Bazar and Char Salimabad of Baghutia Union.

The Jamuna began rising rapidly from mid-May following continuous rainfall and upstream hill runoff. Although water levels remain below the official danger mark, fluctuations in river levels have accelerated erosion along the eastern bank and char regions. After a brief decline, water levels rose again before beginning to fall over the last two days.

The combination of rising and falling water levels has destabilised riverbanks, creating significant risks for riverside settlements. Hundreds of homes, croplands, markets, educational institutions and other structures are now considered vulnerable to further erosion.

Reported Erosion-Affected Areas

Baghutia Union Ward No. 4 member Babul Sarkar said that around 100 feet of land along four sections of the western side of Char Binanui had already disappeared into the river. He also confirmed the loss of Molla Saiful Islam’s house in neighbouring Char Salimabad.

Ward No. 1 member Matiur Rahman reported severe erosion near Rehai Pukhuria and the northern side of Dewanganj Bazar, where substantial areas of land have been lost. According to him, residents are living under constant threat as the river continues to erode the banks.

Ward No. 9 member Abdus Salam stated that erosion has also begun around the Char Salimabad market area. He said that more than 30 houses had been washed away during the past two weeks, leaving many residents fearful of further losses.

The erosion is not limited to Chauhali. Similar riverbank damage has been reported in Khas Rajbari and Natuarpara of Kazipur Upazila, Kawakola in Sadar Upazila, Ghorjan in Chauhali, and several villages in Gala and Sanatani unions of Shahzadpur Upazila.

According to Zakir Hossain, Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Sirajganj Water Development Board, the Jamuna began rising on 14 May and continued to increase rapidly before starting to recede on Wednesday. He noted that despite the rise, water levels remain well below the danger mark.

Executive Engineer Mokhlesur Rahman of the Water Development Board said that water levels in the Jamuna typically begin rising in June, and erosion often follows in riverside and char areas. He confirmed receiving reports of erosion from several locations. At Bhuter Mor in Chauhali Upazila, erosion has affected a riverbank protection embankment, where sand-filled geobags are currently being dumped as a protective measure.

However, he added that there is no official directive for erosion-control interventions in the char areas, making it difficult for authorities to undertake protective works in those locations.