Rising river water triggers massive erosion at 33 points in Kurigram

Flood fears are mounting in the northern border district of Kurigram as the water levels of major rivers continue to rise following days of heavy rainfall and upstream hill runoff.

The waters of the Brahmaputra, Dharla, Teesta and Dudhkumar rivers are flowing close to the danger level and severe riverbank erosion has been reported at 33 points in eight upazilas, according to the district administration.

To protect the erosion-hit and highly vulnerable areas from being washed away, authorities have estimated that 393,500 geo bags are urgently required.

According to the Kurigram district administration and the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the rise in river waters and hill runoff has already partially inundated 24 unions in five upazilas, affecting 5,492 families. 

Over the past three months, riverbank erosion has rendered 149 families homeless while 204 hectares of cropland have gone under water.

The worst erosion is currently being witnessed at 33 locations in Kurigram Sadar, Rajarhat, Ulipur, Phulbari, Nageshwari, Bhurungamari, Roumari and Rajibpur upazilas.

Photo: UNB

Among the most vulnerable areas are Sukherbati village under Char Shaulmari Union in Roumari upazila and Kodalkati Union in Rajibpur upazila, officials said.

Local residents said powerful river currents are devouring cropland and homesteads before their eyes.

"The river has taken everything from us. Within two days, our house was washed away. We don't know where to take shelter with our children now," said Amena Bewa, 60, a resident of Sukherbati.

"If the government does not provide immediate assistance and river protection measures, we will have no way to survive," she added.

Another affected farmer, Khoka Mia, said his Aman paddy seedbed has already been swallowed by the river."If effective measures are not taken immediately, the entire village may disappear from the map. We demand urgent placement of geo bags to stop the erosion," he said.

Executive Engineer of the Kurigram Water Development Board Md Rakibul Hasan said the demand for 393,500 geo bags, each weighing 250 kilograms, has been assessed and sent to the higher authorities for approval.

Of the total requirement, 34,600 geo bags have been sought for Sukherbati area alone, while another 30,000 are needed for Kodalkati Union, he said.

Work will begin as soon as the allocation is approved, he added.

Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Annapurna Debnath has sent an urgent letter to the Ministry of Water Resources seeking immediate allocation of geo bags to protect vulnerable riverbanks and prevent further erosion.