Over 15,000 people and 3,500 families are displaced or become homeless annually on average due to river erosion in the country, Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told Parliament on Thursday.

Citing the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)’s Sample Vital Registration System (SVRS) reports for 2022 and 2023, he said the extent of river erosion varies from year to year, depending on location, timing and natural conditions.

The minister made the remarks in reply to a question from opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Shamsunnahar Begum (Women’s Seat-43) in the House.

“According to the 2022 and 2023 reports of SVRS conducted by the BBS, more than 3,500 families and over 15,000 people in the country are displaced or rendered homeless annually due to river erosion,” he said.

Earlier, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal announced the question-and-answer session in the House.