Published : 31 Aug 2026, 05:43 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:37 AM
Families along the Alai River in Jamalpur’s Melandah Upazila are spending sleepless nights as erosion continues to swallow homes, roads and farmland.
The erosion stretches for about one kilometre from Sadipati Bazar to Pachabohla in Kulia Union of Melandaha Upazila. At least 500 more homes, alongside educational institutions, mosques, and farmland, remain at imminent risk.
Former union council member Lalu Molla, a resident of the Sadipati Bazar area, recently lost part of his home to the river.
“I was sleeping with my family when, around 3am, I suddenly saw half of the house fall into the river. We shouted for help and managed to recover some belongings with the help of neighbours. But everything is gradually being lost,” he said.
The Alai is a branch of the Jamuna originating from Chinaduli Union of the Islampur Upazila. The river is 18km long and its banks face severe erosion every monsoon as water levels rise.
Pachabohla in Islampur Sadar Union and Sadipati and Ballavpur in Melandaha's Kulia Union are particularly affected.
About 1.5km of the road from Sadipati Bazar to Sadipati Westpara has already disappeared into the river over the past few years. Part of the road north of Sadipati Baitul Jannat Jame Mosque has also been washed away.
This year, erosion reached the area beside Sadipati Government Primary School, prompting the district Water Development Board to place geobags to protect the bank.
Abdul Mannan, a Sadipati Bazar resident, said the damaged road from Sadipati to Pachabohla had made travel difficult, forcing people to use courtyards as passageways. Children were also struggling to get to school.
Lalu Molla said he now has to live in the remaining half of his house, fearing it could disappear into the river at any time.
“I cannot sleep at night. I keep wondering how we will get through each day,” he said, urging authorities to take immediate action.
Sahara Khatun said the erosion had taken away roads and land, making it difficult to reach hospitals in emergencies.
“Because there is no road, people do not want to marry into our area or have their daughters marry here. We are suffering greatly,” she said.
Furqan Molla said the erosion had reached the edge of the Baitul Jannat mosque, exposing its pillars.
District Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md Nakibuzzaman Khan said emergency work was under way along the Alai.
“A 2.34km permanent embankment from Sadipati to Pachabohla will also be constructed. The erosion can be brought under control once the permanent embankment is built,” he said.
