Residents of several unions in Rangunia upazila of Chattogram are facing severe hardship as erosion along the Karnaphuli River continues to destroy homes and farmland. Families like that of Amir Ali in Betagi Union’s Kauchhali village are living in constant fear after losing their homes to the river’s strong currents. “Two of my houses were swept away last monsoon. What remains is barely livable. We spend sleepless nights fearing we may lose the rest,” he said.
According to local authorities, erosion has intensified this year due to the forceful release of water from the Kaptai Dam, leading to significant damage in Kodala, Sarafbhata, Shilok, and Betagi unions. In the past two years, at least 297 houses and 2.7 acres of cropland have been lost, according to Anisul Islam, the upazila statistics officer. However, Sarafbhata Union Parishad Chairman Sheikh Farid Uddin Chowdhury claims the actual figures are much higher, citing that his union alone lost 102 homes and over two acres of farmland during this period.
A visit to the affected areas on Thursday revealed widespread damage across eight villages in the four unions. The erosion has now placed several vital infrastructures at risk, including three government primary schools, eight madrasas, 12 mosques, three community clinics, three local markets, unpaved roads, and Eidgahs.
Abdul Mannan of Moulana village in Sarafbhata reported that around 500 meters of riverbank—from West Sarafbhata to the old Sikder Hat area—was washed away during the current monsoon. “Twenty to thirty families have already lost their homes. If this continues, key structures like mosques and madrasas will also be lost,” he warned.
Betagi Union Parishad Chairman Shafiul Alam noted that his union is surrounded on three sides by the Karnaphuli River. “Erosion worsens during every monsoon. Although blocks have been placed in some areas, more are urgently needed to protect residents,” he said.
Shibandu Khashtagir, executive engineer at the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), said that the affected areas have been inspected and that reports have been sent to higher authorities. He confirmed that protective blocks have already been installed in several locations.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kamrul Hasan acknowledged the widespread damage to homes and farmland and confirmed that the BWDB has been asked to take immediate action.
