Kurigram riverbanks people struggle with worsening river erosion

A recent visit to the affected areas revealed extensive damage even before the full onset of the monsoon.

Erosion has taken a serious turn in different villages including Mollarhat, Rasulpur and Koddar Mor in Ulipur upazila while in different parts of Kurigram Sadar, Chilmari, Rajarhat, Roumari, and Rajibpur upazilas.

Locals said over 100 homes, farmlands and trees have been devoured by the rivers for the past several days while roads, educational institutions, mosques, madrasas, and community clinics are now under threat.

Locals living along the riverbanks said timely protection measures could save both private and public properties from further destruction.

Intermittent rainfall over the past week has raised water levels in low-lying areas, inundating farmland, they said.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said approximately 300 hectares of crops have gone underwater.

“I had planted peanuts on three bighas of land and now it’s all submerged,” said Khalek, a farmer of Gorai Piar area in the Teesta basin under Ulipur upazila.

“I’m harvesting the crops with the help of others while standing in knee-deep water. The sudden rise in water has caused a huge loss,” he said.

Nur Alam, a resident of erosion-hit Begumganj union, said many affected families are relocating their homes.

“Some have taken shelter in neighbors’ houses, while others are living under the open sky. Despite holding human chains and protests, no effective solution has come yet,” he added.

Begumganj Union Parishad Chairman Babul Mia warned that without immediate action to prevent erosion the residents may be completely destitute, reports UNB.

Kurigram Water Development Board Executive Engineer Rakibul Hasan acknowledged the ongoing erosion at 10 to 12 points in the district. “Necessary measures are being taken in the affected areas,” he said.