Shariatpur, Jan 15 (UNB) - The water level of the Padma River under the district fell to its lowest record in the last three months, hampering irrigation seriously during the peak boro season.

Locals said massive sand dunes and chars have emerged on the riverbeds, turning it into a number of pretty, tapering lanes.

An area covering miles on the riverbed is turning into a desert which will drastically affect the environment of the district.

The recurrent erosion of the river and the expansion of sand everywhere beside the river are responsible for the environmental change.

People living along the mighty river side said in the last three months there had been an abnormal fall in the water level though it was thought that due to sufficient rain last year the water level would not fall very fast.

They are now apprehending that within a month or two there would be little water in the Padma.

The environmentalists, however, apprehended that the sharp fall in the water level of the river would bring in a catastrophe for navigation, fisheries, agriculture and forestry.

The abnormal fall in water level of the Padma has been attributed to the unilateral withdrawal of water by India through the Farakka Barrage in the upstream of Padma Irrigation Barrage in Naria upazila of the district.

Abdul Hannan, Executive Engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in Shariatpur, said the water level of the Padma started falling from last September.

Irrigation project of the district will have to face severe problems for this, he added.