Local traders and residents are in serious panic due to the severe erosion of the Padma river in Dighirpar Bazar of Tongibari Upazila of Munshiganj.
The erosion, which started suddenly from the evening of Tuesday due to the upstream surge and strong current, has already submerged two shops and damaged the land of at least four other business establishments.
According to eyewitnesses, the river erosion started immediately after the old geobag was removed around 9 pm. Within just half an hour, a jute godown and a shop disappeared into the river. Several other establishments are directly at risk.
The local administration has informed that emergency steps were taken at night in coordination with the Water Development Board to prevent erosion and the authorities have started laying new geobags from Wednesday morning.
Upazila Executive Officer Mostafizur Rahman said, "Erosion has occurred due to sudden increase in water. We have taken immediate action." Water Development Board Deputy Assistant Engineer Ashiq Sarwar said that work is underway to construct a 17-kilometer-long permanent dam in the Tongibari-Louhjang area, 60 percent of which has already been completed.
However, locals complain that despite long-standing promises, the permanent dam has not yet been fully implemented and no effective action has been taken despite illegal dredging by installing cutters in the river.
There are more than 1,000 business establishments in the nearly 200-year-old traditional Dighirpar market. Currently, these establishments are at extreme risk, which could create an economic crisis in the area.
