Rising water level in Kurigram鈥檚 rivers have triggered severe erosion along the banks of the Brahmaputra, Dharla and Teesta rivers, leaving residence in despair.
Erosion has taken a serious turn in different villages, including Mollarhat, Rasulpur and Koddar Mor under Ulipur while in different parts of Kurigram Sadar, Chilmari, Rajarhat, Rahumari and Rajibpur.
Locals said that over 100 homes, farmlands and trees have been devoured by the rivers for the past several days while roads, educational institutions, mosques, madrassahs and community clinics are now under threat.
People living along the riverbanks said that timely protection measures could save both private and public properties from further destruction.
Intermittent rainfall over the past week has raised water level in low-lying areas, inundating farmland, they said.
The Department of Agricultural Extension said that approximately 300 hectares of crops have gone underwater.
鈥業 had planted peanuts on three bighas of land and now it鈥檚 all submerged,鈥� said Khalek, a farmer of Gorai Piar area in the Teesta basin under Ulipur.
鈥業鈥檓 harvesting the crops with the help of others while standing in knee-deep water. The sudden rise in water has caused a huge loss,鈥� he said.
Nur Alam, a resident of erosion-hit Begumganj union, said that many affected families are relocating their homes. 鈥楽ome have taken shelter in neighbours鈥� houses, while others are living under the open sky. Despite holding human chains and protests, no effective solution has come yet.鈥�
Begumganj union parishad chairman Babul Mia warned that without immediate action to prevent erosion the residents may be completely destitute.
Kurigram Water Development Board executive engineer Rakibul Hasan acknowledged the ongoing erosion at 10 to 12 points in the district. 鈥楴ecessary measures are being taken in the affected areas.鈥�
