Kurigram dyke collapse hits over 100 families
Flood situation in Lalmonirhat unchanged
People of South Nawabash under Panchgachia union of Kurigram Sadar upazila shifting their houses to other places as saline water enters their village following collapse of a dyke, right, a flood-hit family of Sindurna village under Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat district moving by a raft made of banana plants yesterday.Photo: STAR
At least 100 families have become homeless in Kurigram as a major portion of the embankment on the River Dharla collapsed in the last 72 hours. In Lalmonirhat, flood situation in 40 villages remained unchanged, forcing hundreds more families to look for safer shelters. At least 500 meters of flood protection embankment in Panchgachhi union under Sadar upazila of Kurigram collapsed in 72 hours ending on Wednesday rendering at least 100 families homeless, reports our correspondent. Due to onrush of water from the upstream to the river Dharla, erosion took an alarming turn in the five-km area. At least 25 families have taken shelter on high land while the other families have shifted to safer places. According to local Water Development Board (WDB) sources said, a major portion of the embankment has collapsed allowing saline water to enter into village South Nawabash. The Dharla is eroding away embankment and adjacent croplands and homesteads at Nawabash. Shitaijhar and Kadomtala villages under Panchgachhi union, the sources added. Victim Aftab Ali, 37, said "Erosion has devoured our homesteads and crops. We have lost all due to onrush of saline water. Chairman of Panchgachhi union Md Delwar Hossen said, "A list of erosion victims has been sent to the Deputy Commissioner for help. We have also brought the matter to the notice of local WDB authority". In Lalmonirhat, the overall flood situation in 40 villages under six unions in two upazilas of the district remained unchanged yesterday, reports a correspondent. Affected people have taken shelter on government roads, schools, colleges and at relative's houses while many still are fighting the flood water. The Lalmonirhat-Burimari highway is under the threat of Teesta erosion at Paruliya point of Hatibandha upazila due to continuous water pressure, said WDB sources. Meanwhile, about half of 35 thousand flood-hit people are facing crisis of food and pure drinking water in Hatibandha and Patgram upazilas. A large number of people is yet to get any relief from government or non-government organisations. The most affected villages are Kuchlibari and Pathorkuchi of Patgram upazila and Char Thangjhara, Kaim Thangjhara, Niz Shaikhsundor, Khoribari, Saniyazan, Char Shaikhsundor, South Goddimari, Char Goddimari, Sindurna, Char Sindurna, Paruliya Zawabari, Dowani and Chayani of Hatibandha upazila. Flood affected Azibor Rahman, 65, of Sindurna village under Hatibandha upazila said, "Poor people like us in this village are living in an inhuman condition since Monday morning." "We badly need dry food and safe drinking water", said Morzina Begum, 36, of the same village.
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