Houses of three families at Bhorkhali village under Bandarban Sadar upazila have been devoured by the intense erosion of the Pain Chhara canal.
According to sources, the erosion along the Pain Chhara canal has been continuing for the last five years devouring houses of four to five families every year. As a result, villagers spent their days in panic, specially, during the rainy season and floods.
It is learnt so far houses of 12 families have so far been eroded in the canal. This year houses of Nurul Alam, Mahbubu Alam and Abu taher have been washed away by the intense current and erosion of the canal.
Sources said nearly 300 families live in village Bhorakhali under Bandarban sadar upazila. During the visit of the village, this correspondent noticed houses of at least 20-family of the village including a Mosque, Madrasha, Bandarban Ideal School, Houses donated by the Prime Minister, the main road connecting the upazila are threatening to be devoured by the erosion of the Pain Chhara canal.
Local Union Parishad Chairman Sanu Pru Marma and ward member Abul Kalam informed, they have appealed several times to the concerned authorities to take steps to save Bhorakhlai village from the grip of erosion.
But, no action has so far been taken from any authority to protect the embankment of the Pain Chhara canal. As a result, houses of three to four families are being devoured in the canal every year and more houses and establishments of the village are under grave threat of erosion.
Yeasin Arafat, Executive Engineer of Bandarban Water Development Board informed that five project proposals were sent to the Ministry of Water Resources after surveying the erosion prone areas of Bhorakhali, Goaliakhola, Remacree, Modok and Kabirajpara.
But, the ministry approved projects of three areas excluding the Bhorakhali and Goaliakhola areas. He further mentioned, the Secretary of the concerned Ministry has said that the rest two of the projects may be taken into consideration during the next year. He further mentioned, a team of the Water Development Board is studying the river erosion prone areas of Bandarban.
