Every monsoon, residents of Jhenaigati upazila in Sherpur face renewed suffering as the Maharshi River swells due to heavy rainfall and upstream runoff from the Meghalaya hills, causing erosion and flooding in low-lying areas.

The rising waters frequently inundate Jhenaigati Bazar and surrounding areas, affecting traders and residents on both sides of the river.

Every year, houses, croplands, roads, markets and other important establishments are damaged, forcing many families to lose their homes and livelihoods.

Locals said the problem has worsened due to the river’s navigability crisis, siltation and the absence of strong and sustainable embankments. 

Over the past decade, at least 500 families have lost their homes due to erosion caused by the Maharshi River.

Residents have long been demanding re-excavation of the river, construction of permanent embankments and effective water management to bring an end to their recurring sufferings.

The Maharshi River originates in the West and South Garo Hills of Meghalaya in India, enters Bangladesh through the Garokona area of Jhenaigati upazila near pillar no. 1108, and later flows into the Malijhi River at Paglarmukh.

According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the river has been listed as river no. 68, with a length of around 17 kilometres and an average width of 57 metres.

According to local sources, erosion occurs at around 10 points in Nalkura and Jhenaigati Sadar unions every year during the monsoon season.

In October 2024 and September 2025, embankments on both banks of the Maharashi River collapsed due to heavy rainfall and upstream runoff, causing widespread damage in different parts of the upazila. 

Houses, agricultural lands, ponds, markets and educational institutions were affected.

Following the incidents, local civil society groups and voluntary organisations organised public signature campaigns, submitted memorandums and held discussions demanding permanent and sustainable embankments on both banks of the river.

Proposed Tk 48.64cr project awaits approval

According to BWDB officials, a proposal has been prepared for repairing and rehabilitating flood-control embankments on both banks of the Maharashi River and re-excavating the river channel to address the recurring flood situation.

In a letter signed by Sherpur BWDB Executive Engineer (Acting) Sudipto Chowdhury on November 25 last year, a proposal involving an estimated cost of Tk 48.64 crore was sent to the higher authorities. 

A technical committee was also formed to examine the project.

Under the proposal, Tk 22.29 crore has been estimated for repairing and rehabilitating 24 kilometres of flood-control embankments, while Tk 26.35 crore has been allocated for re-excavating the 17-kilometre river channel.

Later, a technical team formed by the BWDB director general inspected the affected areas of the Maharashi River on January 15 this year. Based on the inspection report and recommendations, necessary steps were suggested, but the project is yet to be implemented.

Residents' sufferings

Md Binamin, a businessman from Khailkura area, said he lost his chicken farm and house when the riverbank collapsed in October 2024.

“Within a few minutes, the farm and houses in front of my eyes disappeared into the river. I suffered losses of around Tk 30 lakh. I am still unable to restart my business due to a lack of capital,” he said.

He urged the authorities to take immediate steps so that no one else has to face such losses.

Md Jahidul Haque Monir, a member of Jhenaigati Sadar Union Parishad, said the Maharahi River embankment breaks almost every year, flooding areas around Jhenaigati Sadar Bazar and causing extensive damage.

“There is no alternative to constructing permanent and sustainable embankments on both banks of the river and re-excavating the channel. We strongly demand immediate implementation of the project,” he said.

Officials' response

BWDB Executive Engineer (Acting) Sudipto Chowdhury said the design work for repairing and rehabilitating the flood-control embankments and re-excavating the Maharshi River is underway.

“Once the design is completed, it will be sent to the concerned department. The work will begin after approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC),” he said.

Sherpur-3 lawmaker Md Mahmudul Haque Rubel said he raised the issue several times in Parliament and expressed hope that the project would receive approval soon.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M Iqbal Hossain visited several development project sites in Jhenaigati on July 28 and inspected areas affected by Maharshi River erosion.

Talking to reporters, he said the flood and erosion problems caused by the Maharshi River would be addressed through a coordinated initiative involving the Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, and Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives.

He said the three ministries would work together to find a permanent solution to the long-standing problem.