Tk2 crore cyclone shelter on the verge of collapse in Padma River erosion

Padma River bank erosion has aggravated over the past 10 days in Rajrajeshwar union of Chandpur Sadar upazila, taking two villages under the river during the period, while keeping a costly cyclone shelter under threat of collapse.

The construction of a visually attractive building for Omor Ali School, a school-cum-cyclone shelter, was finished only a month before, spending over Tk2 crore.

The school's location was claimed by erosion 7 to 8 times before local MP and Education Minister Dipu Moni took a sincere initiative and built the brand new building for the school, said Union Parishad member Parvez Gazi Rony.

"The site for the building was selected quite far from the river. Upon the order of the education minister we finished the construction of the building very fast and handed it over to the authorities.

Dhaka Tribune"Many families affected from the cyclones Amphan and Fani took shelter in the school building," added Parvez.

Sadar Upazila Vice Chairman Ayub Ali Bepari said: "It is almost impossible to protect the union from erosion as Megha flows on one side of it and on another there is Padma, both are erosion prone rivers. Nothing could be done."

Around 200 houses were shifted elsewhere and 500 houses are currently under threat as the erosion has now been ongoing in the Lakshmipurchar village under the union, according to Rajrajeshwar UP Chairman Hazrat Ali Bepari.

Locals said they do not want any relief products but steps taken so that their lands are protected from erosion. 

"We want MP and Education Minister Dipu Moni's intervention in this regard,” they said.

Chandpur Water Development Board Executive Engineer Babul Akhter said: "The area (Rajrajeshwar) is extremely prone to erosion. It is being eroded by massive rivers like Padma and Meghna. We will monitor the situation. Steps would be taken if we can do anything."