The advancing erosion caused by the Brahmaputra River has intensified in Satbhendi village under Jaleswar in Assam’s Goalpara district, washing away large areas of agricultural land as the river continues to swell.
Residents of the affected village said several bighas of standing jute cultivation are being lost to the river each day. With the erosion rapidly encroaching on farmland, many farmers have begun harvesting their jute crop before it reaches full maturity in an effort to minimise losses.
According to local residents, riverbank erosion has remained a persistent problem in the Jaleswar area for years. They alleged that neither the Water Resources Department nor elected representatives have taken timely and effective steps to prevent the river from advancing further.
Villagers said the situation has become increasingly critical as the embankment now lies only about 100 metres from the erosion-hit stretch. They warned that if immediate protective measures are not undertaken, the embankment itself could soon be threatened, placing nearby villages at greater risk.
Residents further alleged that despite repeated incidents of erosion over the years, no lasting anti-erosion works have been implemented, forcing riverbank communities to live with constant uncertainty and fear.
The affected villagers have appealed to the state government and the Water Resources Department to urgently initiate permanent erosion-control measures, cautioning that any further delay could result in extensive damage to agricultural land, public infrastructure and human settlements in the days ahead.
