Jamuna's erosion has taken a serious turn over the last couple of months, devouring riverbank areas of Neolapara, Morichapara and Batiakhora villages under Bera upazila of Pabna.

Residents of the three villages are passing sleepless nights, worrying over safety of their homesteads and other establishments.

"Just a month ago, the river was more than half kilometre away from my house, but now it has come much closer, eroding away vast stretches of land during this time. If the erosion continues in this way, we may eventually loss our homestead," said Md Emdadul Haque, a resident of Neolapara village.

Md Rafikul Islam of Batiakhora village said around 1,000 bighas of land along the riverbank in the village got eroded over last few years.

Villagers urged the authorities concerned for immediate measures to check river erosion and save their land.

Md Abu Daud, chairman of Notun Varenga union parishad said they have already informed the matter to the Water Development Board for taking necessary steps to prevent river erosion.

Md Jahidul Islam, executive engineer of WDB in Bera upazila, said high officials have visited erosion hit areas recently.

"The affected Neolapara, Batiakhora, Morichapara villages are mainly sandy shoal areas. It is a busy river channel on Baghabari route, with regular dredging going on to keep the channel navigable. As such, the river is quite deep in the area with strong current, which is causing the erosion," he said.

"We have already engaged contractor for dumping sand bags in the riverbank areas to prevent erosion. Work will begin soon," Jahidul added.