River bank erosion has taken serious turn at different points along
Teesta river bank under Sundarganj upazila in the district recently
with the rise of water level in the river creating immense sufferings
to the erosion victims.
Local sources said at least 300 families of the upazila became
homeless in last few days and the erosion of the Teesta river also
devoured many academic and religious institutions including arable
land.
Besides, the inhabitants, who are living on the bank of the river, are
in great panic and anxiety as the river might devour their homesteads
and agriculture land any time.
The river eroded landless people who have taken shelter on the flood
control embankment and other safer places are passing their days with
hardships and their sufferings knew no bounds.
The mostly erosion affected areas are Chhaygharia, Bochagari,
Uzanbochagari, Kanicharita, Hazarirhat, Charitabari, Kashembazar,
Lalchamar of the upazila.
Manju Miah, chairman of Kapasia union parishad of the upazila, said
they had contacted to the BWDB office seeking their cooperation to
start the river bank protection work to save the vulnerable areas of
the union but failed to draw the attention of the officials concerned.
UNO Ahsan Habib confirmed the river erosion at different points
stretching from Tarapur to Kapasia union of the upazila in recent days
and said the matter was informed to the authorities concerned to take
initiative to check the erosion.
When contacted, executive engineer of BWDB Rezaul Mostafa Asrafuddowla
said they could not start the riverbank protection work at the areas
of the upazila due to fund constraints.
(BSS, Gaibandha)
