70 houses eroded in Kurigram in 1 month

Ataur Rahman, Rajibpur (Kurigram)

With the rise of water in the Brahmaputra River, at least 70 houses and huge amount of croplands have been eroded in Rajibpur and Rowmari upazilas of the district in the last one month.

In this connection, hundreds of families have become destitute while hundreds others are at risk of erosion. Besides, various public and private establishments including arable land, local markets, mosques and educational institutions are under threat. The local residents demanded to take quick measures to prevent erosion.

While visiting, it was found that due to the rising water in the Brahmaputra, severe erosion has occurred in Ghughumari area of Charshoulmari Union in the upazila. In the last one month, 35 homesteads and various structures including agricultural land have been lost in the river. Char Khedaimari, Char Italukanda, Char Gendar Alga, Faluar Char, Paler Char, Kandapara, Dighalapara and Dhanachar Paschimpara areas are under threat of erosion. Besides, 20 residential houses in Sazai Bazarpara of Kodalkati Union in Rajibpur and 15 residential houses and croplands in Paikantari area have been lost in the Brahmaputra. However, the locals complained that the authorities performed their duties by nominally dumping some geo bags in these areas.

“Within a few days, my homestead disappeared into the river. I have also lost the arable land that was there. I lost everything and now I’m destitute. I had lost my homestead in the Brahmaputra three times before,” said Jabed Ali of Ghughumari area in Charshoulmari Union.

“My homestead and plants were all lost in the Brahmaputra. As I don’t have any land of my own, I have settled in another land next to mine and am living there by building a house,” said Sakhina Khatun of Char Gendar Alga Village in the same union.

Erosion victims Wahab Ali, Amjad Hossain, Abu Said, Manik Mia, Abdul Salam and Sahid Ali of Sazai Bazarpara area and Nazar Bhanu, Jahanara Begum, Abdul Latif, Rafiqul Islam, Golap Uddin, Maidul Islam, Sabia Khatun, Rafiqul Islam and Sairuddi of Paikantari area in Kodalkati Union of Rajibpur said, every year the Brahmaputra water rises and severe erosion begins. Many people lost their homes and became destitute. In the last one month, 35 of their houses have been lost in the Brahmaputra. These establishments disappeared before their eyes. They had nothing to do but watch. They have lost their homes and are now destitute.

Nurul Amin, local ward member of Kodalkati Union Parishad in Rajibpur, said, “Severe erosion started due to rising water in the Brahmaputra River. Many have lost their homes and become destitute. Kurigram Executive Engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and Rangpur Divisional Engineer have been informed about this.”

Abdur Razzak, president of Ward Awami League in Charshoulmari Union, said, “The water resources minister and the state minister for primary and mass education had visited the erosion-hit area two months ago. But no effective measures have been taken so far. Already many families have lost everything in the erosion. I demand rehabilitation of the erosion victims.”

“Erosion has occurred in an area of about one and a half kilometers in my union. The Ghughumari Village is on the way to complete dissolution. In the last one month, 35 houses have been lost in the river. Many people are living on other people’s land due to destitution. So it is important to rehabilitate the people who are victims of erosion,” said Charshoulmari UP Chairman AKHM Saidur Rahman Dulal.

“No official support has been received yet. However, efforts are being made to prevent erosion by constructing bamboo bundles with the help of villagers and UP,” he also said. He claimed that in the last three years, 300 habitations in the Ghughumari area have been lost to the Brahmaputra.

Abdullah Al Mamun, executive engineer of Kurigram BWDB, said, “I know the matter. Our officials will inspect the eroded areas. Measures will be taken to prevent erosion. However, work is going on to prevent erosion in a three kilometer area in Kodalkati Union of Rajibpur.”