Padma erosion in Rajshahi-C'nawabganj: Houses washed away, crops damaged 

Severe erosion has affected areas along the banks of the Padma River in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj, causing extensive damage to crops and infrastructure.

Numerous houses have been washed away, forcing many residents to relocate. Low-lying areas have been flooded, impacting thousands of people and submerging agricultural fields.

In Rajshahi's Godagari upazila, Char Ashariadaha Union Chairman Ashraful Islam said heavy rainfall over the past week has worsened erosion along the Padma.

"Around 70 houses in Bayarmari, Amir Para, Jamai Para, and Kamar Para areas have been lost to the river," he said.

Godagari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Atiqul Islam confirmed that residents near the river are relocating their homes due to erosion. He added that officials would visit the affected areas for further assessment.

Vast areas of agricultural land have been inundated in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj, cauding immense economic loss. Photo: TBS

While Char Majardia, located across the river from Rajshahi city, is not facing an immediate erosion threat, some agricultural lands there have been inundated.

Erosion, however, has been reported in Chak Rajapur Union of Bagha upazila. In this union, residents of Fatehpur Palashir, Atar Para, Lakshminagar, and Chaumadia areas have been forced to relocate due to the advancing river.

Former chairman of Chak Rajapur union parishad, Azizul Azim, said that all agricultural lands in the area have been submerged.

A local wades through neck-deep water in Rajshahi. Incessant raining has caused the padma to nerode, which has inundated low lying areas in some parts of the district. Photo: TBS

He further mentioned that 65 houses in Fatehpur Palashir, 10 in Lakshminagar, 55 in Ator Para, and 30 in Chaumadia have already been relocated. Additionally, hundreds of families are stranded due to the flooding.

Bagha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Tariqul Islam told TBS that about 50 houses have been relocated from the char areas due to the risk of erosion. 

"A portion of a government primary school has also been moved. Homes of approximately 3,000 families in Chak Rajapur and Gargari unions are inundated due to flooding," he said.

Many people were forced to move away their homes due to inundation caused by the swelling of the Padma river. Photo: TBS

The Rajshahi divisional agriculture office reported that crops on approximately 3,500 bighas of land have been submerged in Lalpur upazila of Natore.Additionally, 9,681 bighas of agricultural land in Rajshahi and 14,857 bighas in Chapainawabganj have been flooded.

In Chapainawabganj, severe erosion has impacted a four-kilometre stretch in Alatuli and Narayanpur unions. Last year, at least 200 houses were lost to the river in these areas.

One-third of the agricultural land in the union has already been submerged, placing houses, markets, and other structures at risk.

In Char Alatuli union, many homes have been washed away, and crops such as pulses and tomatoes have been damaged due to flooding.

In Shibganj upazila's Paka union, the Padma River is also causing erosion, leading residents to relocate their homes. Hundreds of people in Shibganj's Durlavpur and Monaksha unions are stranded due to flooding.

Not only humand but animals, including cattle, have been suffering due to the inundation. Photo: TBS

Nazir Hossain, Chairman of Narayanpur Union Parishad in Chapainawabganj Sadar, said erosion has been ongoing since 2018, placing the union parishad office at risk. Despite various efforts by government departments, no significant response has been made to control the erosion.

Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tasmina Khatun reported that 500 houses in Char Alatuli and Narayanpur Unions have been relocated due to the risk of erosion.

Some farmers are trying to build an embankment so that the water does not inundate their croplands. Photo: TBS

A government primary school, a shelter centre, and a community centre have also been affected, with some structures being washed away.

Approximately 1,500 hectares of pulse crops have been submerged in these areas. The district administration has provided 1,000 tonnes of rice as disaster relief for the affected residents.

Ahmed Mahbub-ul-Islam, additional district magistrate (general) of Chapainawabganj, noted that around 6,000 people in the two unions of Chapainawabganj Sadar and several unions in Shibganj are stranded due to flooding, with many houses lost to erosion. Officials are currently compiling a list of damages.