Erosion by Dharla, Teesta Continues
650 families rendered homeless in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat
The Dharla continues to devour Abashan (shelter) Project for 180 poor families in Barabhita union in Phulbari upazila of Kurigram, right, the people, affected by Teesta erosion at Spar Colony in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat, shifting their houses to a safer place.Photo: STAR
Erosion by the river Dharla rendered at least 385 families at 32 villages under 10 unions in three upazilas homeless in the last couple of weeks. The affected unions are Naodanga, Shimulbari, Phulbari, Barbhita and Bhangamor in Phulbari upazila, Halokhana, Bhogdanga and Pachgchhi in Sadar upazila, and Begamganj in Ulipur upazila, said Water Development Board (WDB) sources. Nur Islam Master, a victim at Sharodob village in Halokhana union, said over 30 families in the area lost their homesteads and croplands. Around 80 families of Kadomtala, Nawabash, Uttar Nawabash and Araji Bhogdana villages in pachgachhi union were rendered homeless, said chairman of the union Amir Hossain. Chairman of Barabhita union Md Altaf Hossain said “An abashan (shelter) project, built for poor people at Pascchim Dhanirum village in the union in 2007, is also under threat due to erosion”. More than 600 people of 180 families are housed there, he added. At least 12 shelters at the project have already been devoured by the river, leaving 110 families shelterless, said Altaf. In Lalmonirhat, over 250 families of Spar Colony village in Mohishkhocha union under Aditmari upazila were rendered homeless due to erosion by the Teesta River in the last one week, reports our correspondent. The erosion hit people have already taken shelter on roads and highways, Mosaddeque Hossain Chowdhury, chairman of the union. Meanwhile, at least 510 families of Gobordhon and Kutirpar villages are under the threat of erosion, said WDB sources. During a recent visit, this correspondent found a number of villagers leaving their homesteads in fear of further erosion. Fazlur Rahma, 55, of Spar Colony village, said “The river devoured my homestead and farmlands turning me into a pauper”. Lalmonirhat WDB executive engineer Enayet Ullah said “We have sent a letter to the higher authorities, seeking fund to tackle the situation.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments