Kaliganga devours 50 houses

Erosion by the river Kaliganga took a serious turn devouring about 50 dwelling houses at Barta village under Chandahar union in Singair upazila of the district within a week.

Shawkat Hossain Badal, chairman of Chandahar union parishad, said the river devoured nearly 50 houses in the last seven days and several other families have taken shelter at their neighbouring houses.

The intensity of the erosion is so cruel that many affected people had no time to shift elsewhere with their belongings, Shawkat said.

During a visit in the area, this correspondent found that local people dumped sand, bamboo and tree branches to protect the area but the strong current of the river foiled their entire bid.

Hajera Begum, a resident of the village, said the Kaliganga onslaught has brought sorrow for her as the river engulfed her homestead before she could save it. Like Hajera, many others along with their family members have been living in utter fear and uncertainty.

Many other erosion-hit people of the village said no steps have yet been taken to check the river erosion and the homeless families did not get any help from the government or any other organisation.

UP chairman Shawkat said he has already informed the Water Development Board (WDB) authorities about the matter.

Hasan Mahmud, executive engineer of WDB in Manikganj, said WDB officials visited the affected areas and they will take necessary steps to check the erosion as soon as possible.