Erosion in Gaibandha makes over 650 families homeless
Sardarer Char Primary School in Fulchhari upazila of Gaibandha is on the brink of extinction as turbulent Jamuna approaches only a few feet from the building. The photo was taken yesterday.Photo: STAR
Erosion by Jamuna River has taken a serious turn in Saghata and Fulchhari upazilas, rendering over 650 families homeless during the last three days. With the recession of water level in the Jamuna, the river has devoured large areas of cultivable lands, trees and structures on one and a half kilometre area on its west bank in Fulchhari upazila. Locals said 350 families have been displaced and the erosion now threatens Fulchhari Degree College, a madrasa, a mosque, a temple, a few schools and a spot commemorating liberation war martyrs. Densely populated Majhipara area is now on the verge of erosion. Sardarer Char Primary School, Angaridah Government Primary School, Char Krishnamoni Primary School, Baghbari Primary School and Dhalipatadhoya Primary School are threatened as the river has already come up to the premises, said Abdul Gafur Mandol, chairman of Fulchhari union. As erosion has come up to only eight feet from Sarderer Char Primary School, the house is being sold at an auction on emergency basis, said Fulchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Jahidul Islam. During visit to the affected areas yesterday, this correspondent saw many people shifting their household articles to safer places. They have taken shelter on nearby abandoned embankment, erecting makeshift sheds. At least 300 families have already shifted to safe places as their homestead went into the river and many other villagers are threatened, said Amir Ali of village Chalkpara in Saghata upazila. The people of erosion-affected Chalkpara, Hatbari, Hasikandi, Chinir Potol, Kamarpara, Kumarpara, Haldia, Digholkandi villages are passing days amid anxiety. " I have lost my homestead during last three days. This time the erosion is alarming. Every hour chunks of three to five square feet areas are being devoured," said Nurunnabi Sarker of village Baushi. One-third areas of Gajaria union went into the river, but the authorities concerned did not take any initiative to check the erosion despite repeated movement by local people, said union parishad Chairman Begum Shaheda Islam. Saghata upazila parishad Chairman Golam Shaheed Ranju, Saghata UNO Md Khorshed Alam and Upazila Awami League secretary Abdul Hamid Sarker Babu visited the affected areas. Upazila administration allocated ten tonnes of rice for distribution among the erosion-affected people.
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