Md. Monir Hossain: A serious river erosion has occurred in the area adjacent to Taltoli High School and College located on the banks of Dhanagoda River in Matlab Uttar Upazila.
Cracks have already appeared in the boundary wall of the mosque and Eidgah adjacent to the school and erosion has started in some places. Locals fear that if the intensity of the erosion continues, the main building of the school, Dhanagoda Market, cropland, homes and other important structures will disappear into the riverbed.
On the ground, it can be seen that large cracks have formed in various parts of the boundary wall of the mosque and Eidgah adjacent to the river bank. Due to the river current, the soil on the bank has shifted and the lower part of the wall has become risky. According to locals, the situation could become even more dire if the river water rises further during the entire monsoon season.
Kaspia and Nazmul, students of class 10 of the school, said that they are scared to see the condition of the river bank every day when they come to school. The school building is also at risk due to the way the erosion is progressing. If immediate action is not taken, major damage can occur.
Eighth grade student Suraiya and seventh grade student Sakib said, “We cross the Dhanagoda River from the neighboring Daudkandi Upazila to the school by boat. We are very scared to see the river bank eroding. Immediate action is needed to protect our school.”
Meanwhile, due to river erosion, there is extreme anxiety among the common people, businessmen, farmers, teachers and students of the area. Locals fear that a vast area including educational institutions will be lost in the riverbed if permanent preventive measures are not taken immediately.
School principal Farukul Islam said, due to the strong current of the river, the walls of the mosque and Eidgah have burst in several places and erosion has occurred. The main building of our school is located right after the Eidgah. If the erosion continues like this, there is a risk that the school will disappear into the riverbed at any time. A few days ago, officials of the Water Development Board came and inspected the area. We want effective measures to be taken on an urgent basis to prevent erosion.
Executive Engineer of Meghna-Dhanagoda Irrigation Project Md. Selim Shahed said, “We are regularly monitoring the erosion-prone areas of the Dhanagoda River. We are also keeping an eye on the situation in the Taltoli area. The matter has been informed to the higher authorities. The process of taking necessary measures based on technical evaluation is underway.”
Matlab North Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmuda Kulsum Moni said, “The issue of erosion of the Dhanagoda River is being viewed with great importance. The local administration and the Water Development Board are monitoring the situation in a coordinated manner. Communication with the concerned authorities is ongoing to take necessary steps to protect people’s lives and property and educational institutions.”
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