-73 points of 5 districts in severe erosion
People on the banks of the Teesta river in the northern region are destitute of floods and erosion. Severe river erosion has started as the flood waters receded rapidly.
Meanwhile, Teesta erosion has intensified at least 73 points in the Teesta basin of five northern districts of Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha and Nilphamari. In the meantime, more than 200 homesteads and various structures have been destroyed by river erosion.
Talking to the victims of the area, it was known that the Teesta is breaching as the water is receding. Hundreds of acres of cropland and homesteads of the people living on the banks of the river are disappearing into the river.
Abdul Malek, a resident of Harinchaura in Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila and former chairman of Khuniagach Union, said the river erosion has started severely in Harinchara area that people did not even have time to evacuate their houses. As many as 24 houses have been evacuated in the last 12 hours. A total of 16 houses have been washed away by the river. Besides, multi-storied mosques, educational institutions and various memorial structures are at risk.
Sabera Begum, a 50-year-old resident of the same area, said, "We started shifting our house to another place due to river erosion at midnight. Although two houses were removed in a short time, one house and some trees were lost into the river."
Safwan Mia, a resident of the middle char of Khuniagach Union, said that there was waist-deep water in the house due to the sudden flood. There is no water in the house today. But due to severe erosion, the house will go under the river at any time. God knows where we will go.
Arman Ali, a farmer of Gaddimari area of Hatibandha, said he had to relocate his house twice this year and have been affected by erosion this year. I am worried about where I will live now, how to live with my family, how I will eat.
Residents of the banks of the Teesta in Rajarhat, Ulipur and Chilmari upazilas of Kurigram said at least 50 houses in the three upazilas have been washed away by the Teesta river in the last 24 hours. People who have lost their homes are living a miserable life.
Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Rabiul Faisal said the same. He added that Teesta has suddenly taken an aggressive form. In the last 24 hours, 30 houses in Gangachara, Pirgachha and Kaunia upazilas have gone into the stomach of Teesta.
Ahsan Habib, Supervising Engineer of Water Development Board Rangpur region, said, "We have visited the Teesta erosion prone areas. Severe erosion has occurred at 73 points in five districts. The higher authorities have been informed. If allocated, geo bags will be thrown to prevent erosion soon."
ZH
