The Nilphamari-Rangpur Road via Kishoreganj, Poracoat village and Khokarbazar in Putimari union, all are threatened by erosion of the Charalkata. The erosion has intensified following recession of floodwaters from the area.

The Charalkata is the largest river in the district after the Teesta. Originally, the river was flowing through Kachukata village in Sadar upazila. All on a sudden, it changed its course about 15 years ago and started proceeding towards human habitat. The river entered Poracoat village. It took a devastating form in the last 10 years. The river devoured at random houses, cultivatable land, trees, bamboo clusters whatever came before it.

During a visit to the area, Motiar Rahman, an elderly man, at Poracoat village said to this correspondent that the Charalkata had devoured his 150 decimals of agricultural land in the last couple of years. Now his house stands on five decimals of land. He said he is very worried now because of intensification of erosion area after recession of floodwater. If the erosion accelerates, he will have to shift his house to elsewhere, he said.

Amena Begum, another villager whose house is only two feet off the river said she cannot sleep at night. 'None wants to abandon her dear house', she said adding, there is none to pay heed to her woes.

Rabeya Begum, wife of Mazammel told this correspondent about 15 years ago 300 families with 1,500 of their members used to live at the village. But now only 35 families live here. She feared the rest others might have to shift to elsewhere if erosion continues at the present pace.

The erosion victims are now living on others' lands at other villages. Previously, most of them were well-to-do families, but now they became pauper after the erosion.

Locals informed the village is part of Nilphamari-3 constituency (Jaldhaka and a portion of Kishoreganj upazila). Jamaat leader Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury was the elected lawmaker in this constituency. During his visit to the village last year, he gave a false promise to local people that a dam would be constructed to check erosion in the area. But the lawmaker did not turn up at the village, alleged locals. Mizanur Rahman is now in jail for his alleged misappropriation of government relief (corrugated iron sheet).

This correspondent saw that after devouring a vast tract of the land and lot of houses at Poracoat village, the Charalkata is now out to devour the nearby Khokarbazar, a rural market.

The river about to touch the Nilphamari-Rangpur Road. Everyday hundreds of trucks, buses, mini-buses, pickups, and other vehicles ply through the road. Last year the Roads and Highway Department (RHD) repaired part of the road which damaged by erosion. As the erosion continues, the road is now being threatened.

Putimari Union Parishad (UP) chairman Shahidul Islam said he met the local BWDB officials several times for protection of the village, the bazar and the vital road from erosion, but to no effect.

On contact, Nilphamari BWDB executive engineer Abdur Razzak said he is well-aware about the situation.

He suggested re-excavation of about half-a- kilometre riverbed and construction of a cross dam might control the erosion. 'I have already sent a project proposal (PP) to the higher authorities in this regard', he said.