Erosion by the rivers continues destroying croplands, homesteads, trees, important establishments and road infrastructures, rendering many people homeless across the country. The government has identified 54 erosion-prone areas in 22 districts, analysing long-range weather forecast.
According to media reports, erosion has taken a turn for the worse in Kurigram as waters started receding in 16 rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar. Due to continuous erosion, some 458 houses in the district fell into the gorge in these rivers. Those affected by the erosion are running here and there in search of shelter.
People are in great distress due to lack of sanitation, and food shortage. All in all, flood victims are in dire straits. Every day hundreds of needy people are flocking to their respective union parishad chairmen and members with various problems, including food items and shelter.
Erosion has taken a turn for the
worse in Kurigram as waters started
receding in 16 rivers, including the Brahmaputra,
Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar.
Villagers said many houses, cultivable lands and other important establishments, including educational institutions, have already gone into the rivers in a week. The rapid recession of water has triggered strong current in the rivers, causing erosion of the riverbanks. The speed of the current is more during water receding time. A number of government primary schools, secondary schools, hospitals, and other important establishments is also likely to be devoured by rivers anytime. People living on the banks are in great panic and anxiety as the rivers might devour their homesteads and agricultural land any time.
Apart from the banks of the Brahmaputra, Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar, riverside people across the country are passing sleepless night as they fear river erosion can eat up everything and render them homeless. The erosion-vulnerable districts are Bogura, Tangail, Rajbari, Faridpur, Madaripur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Sirajganj, Manikganj, Pabna, Kushtia and Rajshahi.
Croplands, embankments and dams, many points of highways, rural roads and, habitats, shops, houses, religious institutions, educational institutions, haats, bazars and important establishments, including hospitals, have already gone into the rivers in the last five decades. Many people still fear losing houses as long-term solution has not been taken yet to this end. The government will have to take immediate measures for protecting riverbanks, building new embankments and carrying out repairs on damaged embankments.
