Section of Tarakandi-Tangail Highway Washed Away by Severe Jamuna River Erosion

PNN News Desk | Tangail

A large section of the Tarakandi-Tangail regional highway has been washed away by the continuous erosion of the Jamuna River in Shakharia-Nalin area of Hemnagar Union under Gopalpur Upazila of Tangail. Due to new cracks appearing on the road, all types of vehicular movement have remained suspended for the third consecutive day for safety reasons. As a result, local residents, students, and passengers are facing extreme suffering.

Local sources said that amid several days of continuous erosion, around 60 feet of the road near Nalin Bazaar sank into the river on Monday (July 20) night. Later, large cracks appeared in several other parts of the road, making the situation more dangerous.

During a visit to the area on Tuesday (July 21), it was seen that erosion had spread to different parts of the road near the Shakharia sluice gate and the flood control embankment due to rising Jamuna water levels and strong currents. Many residents living near the riverbank have started moving their belongings to safer locations fearing possible danger.

Local people fear that if the erosion continues, not only the regional highway but also the flood control embankment will face serious risks. If the embankment is damaged, vast areas including Gopalpur and surrounding upazilas may be submerged, putting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people at risk.

Shamsul Alam, acting chairman of Hemnagar Union Parishad, said that if effective protection measures are not taken quickly in the Shakharia and Nalin areas, the erosion may expand further. This could disrupt road communication and also cause important infrastructures to disappear into the river.

As the situation worsened, the local administration and Tangail Water Development Board (WDB) quickly visited the site. Emergency work to prevent erosion has begun by placing geo-bags in the affected areas. On Tuesday afternoon, workers were seen dumping geo-bags along around a 100-foot stretch near the Shakharia sluice gate.

Gopalpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Manjurul Morshed said the situation was created due to rising Jamuna water levels and strong currents. He said the erosion situation is being closely monitored. He also informed that local Member of Parliament Advocate Abdus Salam Pintu visited the site and assured necessary steps.

Tangail Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md. Main Uddin said geo-bags are being placed on an emergency basis to reduce river pressure and control erosion. He added that the river’s movement is being monitored regularly to determine further actions.

Due to the risk of erosion, all vehicle movement on the Tarakandi-Bhuapur regional highway has remained suspended since the second day. Hemnagar Police Outpost said vehicles have been advised to use an alternative route through Nalin Bazaar.

Meanwhile, local residents alleged that the lack of effective river management for a long time and unplanned river excavation have made Jamuna erosion increasingly severe. They demanded the implementation of a permanent river management project and immediate effective measures to protect the affected areas.