Jamuna today devoured 150 metres of embankment at the Meghai area of Kazipur upazila in Sirajganj putting the upazila headquarters at massive risk.

Despite quick initiatives by the water development board, the people living near the river have expressed their fears, reports our Pabna correspondent.

Chairman of Kazipur Sadar union parishad Kamruzzaman Biplob said the river started devouring a portion of the embankment from today. Within a few hours, around 150 metres of it went into the river.

“Due to the sudden erosion, Kazipur upazila food godown, market, police station, schools, college, and many institutions and residences are in danger,” the chairman said.

Acting Kazipur upazila Nirbahi officer Kazi Amik Islam however said there is nothing to be worried about as the Water Development Board has already started dumping sandbags to prevent erosion.

Sub-divisional Engineer of Sirajganj WDB Ranajit Kumar echoed him saying there is no immediate danger to the upazila headquarters.

However, locals alleged that poor maintenance work of the embankment and unplanned sand extraction from different areas of the river caused the erosion.

Asked, the UNO, however, said mobile courts are conducting regular drives against illegal sand traders.