Severe erosion by the Padma River has destroyed hundreds of bighas of cropland in Daulatpur Upazila of Kushtia over the past two weeks, leaving dozens of farming families facing heavy losses. The erosion intensified after upstream water entered the Padma, particularly in the Majdiar and Koldiar areas of Maricha Union, where nearly two kilometers of riverbank have come under severe threat. According to affected farmers, more than 300 bighas of cultivated land, along with standing seasonal crops, have already been swallowed by the river, causing widespread concern among local residents. The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said the Padma's danger level in the area is 13.80 meters, while the current water level stands at 9.37 metres, or 4.43 metres below the danger mark. Although flooding is not currently expected, emergency measures have been kept ready to tackle riverbank erosion.
Local farmer Nentu Mia (62) said about eight bighas of his cropland, including jute fields, had disappeared into the river over the past 15 days. "We suffer from river erosion every year. This year is no different," he said.
Another farmer, Yusuf Ali, said nearly five bighas of his land, including grass cultivated for livestock and jute fields had also been washed away. He called for a permanent solution to the erosion.
Local farmers said others who have lost land include Yasin Pramanik (6 bighas), Amirul Islam (8 bighas), Nazrul Islam (3 bighas), Babul Pramanik (2.5 bighas) and Sadhu Farazi (12 bighas). In total, between 250 and 300 bighas of farmland belonging to around 50 to 60 farmers have already been lost to the river. Affected residents alleged that despite erosion continuing for nearly a month, no officials from the Water Development Board or the local administration had visited the affected areas or taken effective action.
Former Maricha Union Parishad Chairman Saidur Rahman said around 300 bighas of cropland had disappeared into the river over the past 15 to 20 days, but the authorities had yet to respond.
BWDB Executive Engineer Rashedur Rahman said erosion had intensified in several areas due to the rising river level. He said emergency geobags had been kept ready and that, after consultation with higher authorities, protective work would begin in the worst-affected locations as soon as possible.
Local residents, however, said thousands of acres of farmland and numerous homesteads are lost to Padma erosion every year. Many families have been displaced repeatedly and no longer have land to rebuild their homes.
They said they had organized human chains and other protest programmes several times demanding permanent riverbank protection, but no long-term river management initiative has yet been undertaken. They urged the government to construct durable embankments and implement a lasting solution to protect riverside communities.
