With flood water receding, erosion on the banks of major rivers in Kurigram has taken a serious turn.
According to sources, although flood water has begun receding, erosion by the river Teesta has become a cause of concern for hundreds of families living in different villages at Bozra union and nearby localities. Local sources said a vast tract of farmland and many vegetable fields have been engulfed by the river. The flood-hit people who took shelter on high land started returning home, but they have to live in open sky as their houses had been washed away by the floodwater. Life has started getting normal in the flood-affected areas, but flood victims are passing days in utter misery. They suffer huge losses as their croplands have been ruined by the erosion.Abu Yusuf, living near Teesta embankment said that the erosion suddenly increases last (Friday) night. “We all are trying to relocate our houses to the safer places though many villagers already lost their houses, farmland and other assets into the river,” he added.
Locals alleged that every year the same situation occurs as the Water Development Board (WDB) failed to take necessary steps in this regard.
Officials of Water Development Board (WDB) visited the affected area but are yet to take necessary steps in this regard, locals further alleged.
If immediate steps are not taken a vast tract of crop lands, houses, educational institutions and other establishments may go under the river, locals apprehended.
Kurigram BWDB Executive Engineer Abdullah Al Mamun said they were piling sandbags on the banks of the rivers to curb erosion.
“We are monitoring the situation constantly and visited the affected areas to assess the erosion. Necessary steps are being taken to reduce the losses,” the engineer added.