Khagrachhari rivers hiss with the onset of monsoon

Erosion of the river Chengi continues to devour homesteads and cultivable lands along its banks at Ganjopara in Khagrachhari. PHOTO: STAR

Besides, over 500 villagers become homeless due to the river erosion in the district, sources added.

Khagrachhari becomes a land of natural calamity due to massive erosion in the rivers Chenghi, Mainee and Feni during the monsoon every year causing suffering to the people residing on the banks of the rivers.

Worst more, the local administration, political parties or people's representatives are indifferent to this problem.

Many people along the banks of rivers already have left their ancestral homes in Khagrachhari Sadar, Dighinala, Laxmichhari, Mohalchhari, Manikchhari and Ramgarh upazilas and shifted their households to safer places for their livelihood.

The worst affected villages on the banks of the rivers Chenghi, Mainee and Feni are Gonjapara, Shavdamiyapara, Rajjamonipara, Khabangpuriya, Aparnachowdhuripara of Sadar upazila, Fatemanagar, Sutakarmapara, Latiban,Barkal Abhilashpara of Panchhari upazila, Anandapara, Lasaripara of Laxmichhari upazila, Sonaiful, Mohamuni, Darogapara of Ramgarh upazila, Boalkhali, Hasinsonpur, Merong, Babuchhara of Dighinala upazila and Babupara, Mohalchara of Mohalchhari upazila.

Within 10 days of the onset of rainy season, Chenghi, Mainee and Feni usually swell up around two feet and thus creates heavy onrush of water leading to the erosion on both banks.

During a recent visit to Gonjapara village in Sadar upazila this correspondent found

At least 50 villagers have been shifted to safer places to escape the wrath of erosion in last one month.

The rivers have devoured completely the piece of my ancestral land, compelling me to shift my households along with my family, bemoaned Chaila Aung, 45, of Gonjapara.

Mongshi Prue Marma, another villager aged about 43, blamed the local lawmaker for not keeping his promises to take measures to stop the erosion as well as help the erosion-affected villagers.

During election campaign, he (MP) promised us of constructing embankments on both the banks of the rivers but has not kept his words yet, he said.

Officials said about 15 villages of Sadar upazila are now on the verge of erosion. Besides, many government and semi-government structures, including school, college, Parjatan motel, bailey bridge, BDR camp and mosque also are in danger.

Golabari Union Parishad Chairman Chaila Prue Marma said many villages of his union are threatened by the river erosion, but he is unable to do anything for them due to insufficient allotment from the government.

Khagrachhari Pourasava Chairman Joynal Abedin, however, said there is no dearth of government's sincerity and initiatives are being taken to protect people affected by erosion.

Water Development Board officials were not available for comments.