DACCA: As flood waters of 10 major rivers of the province continue to ravage nine districts, reports reaching from different places reveal a gloomy picture of the devastation caused by erosion [July 8]. Thousands of acres of land in several districts have been devoured by the hungry rivers in the wake of floods. Apart from the standing crops which have been destroyed or damaged by the flood, the rivers have eroded many homesteads rendering many a family homeless.

In three police stations of Faridpur district, according to these reports, 24,000 acres of land have been eroded by the mighty river Padma. Offices of two Union Councils — Kundeswar and Bilaspur — have been shifted as the mighty river is eroding its bank. The reports said standing crops like paddy and jute have been badly damaged due to erosion and flood in Jajira, Naria and Shibchar police stations of Faridpur district, and some 20,000 people of the locality have been affected. Over 500 houses in Charatra Union have gone into the river due to heavy erosion of the Padma and crops over 2,000 acres of land have been lost. Another report from Manikganj said that erosion on the eastern bank of the river Jamuna near Arichna is causing serious concern to the people of the locality.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2018