Brahmaputra erosion ravages Assam's Goalpara village, farmers forced to harvest jute early

Severe erosion by the Brahmaputra River has triggered a worsening situation in Satbhendi village under Jaleswar in Assam's Goalpara district, with vast stretches of agricultural land being washed away as river levels continue to rise.

According to local residents, several bighas of standing jute crop are disappearing into the river every day. 

Fearing further losses, farmers have been forced to harvest their jute prematurely before the crop is fully mature.

Erosion has remained a long-standing problem in the Jaleswar region, with locals alleging that the Water Resources Department and elected representatives have failed to take timely and effective measures to check the advancing river.

Residents said the situation has become particularly alarming as the embankment is now barely 100 metres from the erosion-hit area. 

They warned that unless urgent preventive measures are taken, the embankment itself could come under threat, worsening the crisis for nearby villages.

Locals also alleged that despite repeated instances of erosion, no effective anti-erosion measures have been undertaken by the authorities, leaving riverbank communities to live in constant fear and uncertainty.

The affected residents have urged the government and the Water Resources Department to immediately implement permanent erosion-control measures, warning that further delays could lead to extensive damage to agricultural land, infrastructure and settlements in the coming days.