Dharla erosion renders 35 families homeless
Steps to halt Jamuna erosion demanded
Erosion by the Dharla River has taken a serious turn, devouring areas in three villages of Kulaghat union under Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila. The photo was taken from Ghaterpar village yesterday.Photo: STAR
At least 35 families in three villages of Kulaghat union under Sadar upazila were rendered homeless in the last three days due to sudden erosion by the Dharla River. The erosion-hit villages are Ghaterpar, Vatiyatari and Shimulbari. Affected people at Ghaterpar village told this correspondent that erosion took a devastating turn devouring several homesteads in the last three days. Mofizul Islam,48, of Ghaterpar said, "Erosion by the Dharla has made me a destitute. My homestead has been eroded for the third time on Tuesday evening. Now my five-member family has taken shelter in a relative's house at a neighbouring village.” Mozammel Haque,50, of Shimulbari said that a dozen families in his village have been rendered homeless by the Dharla erosion in the last three days. “Dharla erosion is continuing in these villages. The river has already devoured 35 homesteads till today (Wednesday noon). Many villagers are now leaving their homesteads in fear of erosion. Many fields with standing crops especially maize have gone into the river,” said Kulagha UP chairman Shahjahan Miah. Erosion-hit people of Vatiyatari village told this correspondent that the river has devoured at least 50 acres of cultivable land, some orchards, bamboo clusters during the period. Monsur Ali,45, of the village said “I had only three decimals of my homestead. Dharla has eroded it away this morning. Now we have taken shelter on a government land." Contacted, executive engineer of Lalmonirhat Water Development Board (WDB) Enayet Ullah said he visited the spot at noon. “I will send a letter to the higher authorities concerned seeking fund for protection of those villages,” he said. Meanwhile in Gaibandha, speakers at a protest meeting yesterday demanded immediate steps to halt erosion by the Jamuna River and save Shaghata police station, health complex, banks, schools and colleges, reports our correspondent. Organised by Shaghata Thana Rakkha Committee, the meeting was held at a local girls' high school ground. The speakers urged upon the Water Development Board (WDB) authorities to start flood protection embankment work immediately, as government recently approved a project.
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