Severe and sudden erosion along the Padma River has struck the West Gaondia area of Lauhajang upazila in Munshiganj, placing homes, roads, social institutions and cropland at risk. Strong winds, rain, rising river water, powerful currents and whirlpools reportedly displaced geobags near a riverbank protection project, worsening the erosion. About 100 riverside families are spending sleepless nights fearing the loss of their homesteads.

Residents began moving houses and livestock to safer places as the bank collapsed. Locals said erosion began on Monday and that roughly 200 feet of riverside land disappeared into the river within several hours. Union Parishad member Tobarak Dhali said the area, dry in the morning, had become more than 30 hands deep after the erosion.

Residents said previously placed geobags had shifted in the strong current and whirlpools, and called for urgent new geobags as well as permanent blocks along the bank. Water Development Board sub-assistant engineer Md Shahadat Hossain said sand-filled geobags were being placed at the site. Lauhajang UNO Farzana Bobby Mitu inspected the area on Tuesday morning and said measures involving geobags and blocks were being considered.