Turbulent Teesta Wreaking Havoc in Kurigram, Gaibndha

The Teesta River has devoured several hundred homes, important institutions and educational institutions as its bank erosion has taken a severe turn at Kashimbazar point in Gaibandha and Ulipur's Bazra union point in Kurigram.

In the last two weeks, locals said 300 establishments were devoured by the river when 20 meters of a road reached the river, snapping communications, reports UNB.

The authorities concerned have yet to take any action to save the people and their belongings, local residents said, adding that their protest against the human chain has failed to attract officials' attention.

Owing to the incompetence of the local government, the residents of Bazra said they were becoming homeless.

“I’ve lost my houses three times and taken shelter at my in-law’s house but it too was devoured by the river in recent erosion. Where should I go now?” asked Gafur Mia, a resident of the area.

Jarimon, a widow, said she was always struggling to keep her family. "Where will I go now that my house is at risk of erosion, with my disabled child?

Farmer Mozammel Haque said he used to own 12 hectares of land. "Seven times, erosion took away my house and the river devoured my property. I 'm left with just 30 decimal places of land now and my house is in danger of erosion. When I lose what's left, I have nowhere to go,' he said.

There is a chance of erosion among the residents of Lakhierpara, Para Sadua, Madaripara, Kashimbazar Haat, Kashimbazar Girls High School, Nazimabad High School, Kashimabazar Senior Madrassah and two primary schools in Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha

Besides, Chilmari went into the river 20-meters from Kashimbazar to Ulipur, snapping road communications. Locals worried that if the government does not take quick action to stop the riverbank erosion 2,000 families will lose their land and houses at any time.

Kashimbazar residents said two-thirds of the town had already gone into the river but no successful steps were taken by the local administration to avoid erosion.

Some people said they had approached the local Water Development Board but the Gaibandha officials asked them to contact the Kurigram officials concerned as Kashimbazar spreads across the two districts.

Ariful Islam, executive engineer of Kurigram WDB, said fund crunch has disrupted the work to prevent erosion.

“Currently, eight-kilometre areas at 67 points of Barhmmaputra, Dudhkumar, Teesta and Dharla rivers under nine Upazilas of the district are at the risk of erosion. Work in six-km area at 53 points is being carried out on an emergency basis to tackle the erosion,” he said.