Rising water driven by upstream hill runoff and rainfall has intensified erosion along the Bangali and Karatoya rivers in Sherpur upazila of Bogura, according to a report published on August 3. Severe erosion has been reported at at least 14 points, threatening homes, farmland and long-established homesteads. Khanpur, Sughut and Khamarkandi unions are the most affected by erosion on the Bangali, while areas in Garidaha and Mirzapur unions are affected along the Karatoya.

Information from the Bangladesh Water Development Board, local representatives and field observations identified erosion at several locations. These include Baraithali Uttarpara, Chak Khanpur, Dah Khanpur, Sughut Bazaar, Madhyabhag, Binodpur, Chakpahari or Ghasuria, Bilnothar and Jhajhar Uttarpara. Erosion is also affecting Binodpur Mohona and Uttarpara, areas near Kalshimati School, Fulbari Ghatpar, and a road and madrasa near Kashiabala.

Riverside residents have demanded urgent action to protect homesteads, educational institutions and religious sites. Affected people called for permanent geo-bag protection or durable block embankments. Bogura Water Development Board sub-assistant engineer Sabuj Kumar Shil said officials had inspected the sites and that work to prevent erosion was under way.