The massive and unabated erosion in the river Padma has been posing a serious threat to the city protection embankment, officials and others concerned here said. In the wake of rising floodwater in the mighty river, erosion is continuing at different places especially Sonaikandi, Noboganga, Bulanpur, Char Taranagar, Khidirpur and Khanpur. The peoples' concerned have become panicked amid the devastating situation in fear of loosing dwelling house and croplands. Nazrul Islam, Chairman of Haripur Union Parishad, said river erosion has taken a serious turn in around five-kilometers area with rising of floodwater in the river Padma. Along the bank of the river, the affected people are passing their days with deep anxiety due to their vulnerable condition. Houses of around 500 families were reportedly facing the erosion threat at present, he added. If this situation continues, he apprehended that hundreds of dwelling houses along with schools, mosques and crops lands would be eroded. "The erosion has eaten up vast tract of crop fields especially paddy and jute," said Nazrul Islam. Control Room officials of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said 17.20 meter water level in the Padma River was on Monday (July 1) while 9.5 meter was on June 1 last. In Sonaikandi, city's western area, the erosion is taking place massively due to strong water current. Likewise, the erosion has taken a serious turn in a three- kilometer area from Berpara to Noboganga via Sonaikandi where two big I embankments are located to protect the city protection embankment. "If the erosion prolongs, the embankments might not be protected," said Shahabuddin, Superintending Engineer of BWDB. Besides, various other areas along the river particularly Taranagar, Khidirpur and Khanpur are also facing serious threat of the erosion as the areas have hundred acres of standing crops and mango orchards. Meanwhile, Meraj Uddin Mollah, MP, Deputy Commissioner Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury, Paba UNO Razzaqul Islam, BWDB Superintending Engineer Shahabuddin, Executive Engineer Harun-Or- Rahid and others concerned visited some of the affected areas.