Dhalai renders 15 families homeless

At least 15 families at Dakkhin Ghuramara village in Kamalganj upazila of the district became homeless due to erosion by the Dhalai river in the last one month.

A large portion of the river erosion protection dam was also eroded during the time, said lcoals.

A number of erosion-hit people have taken shelter on high lands.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found many villagers shifting to safer places along with their belongings in fear of further erosion.

A house under threat of erosion. Photo: Star

Sajeda Begum, 45, a resident of the village, said her tin-shed house was devoured by the river on May 23.

She borrowed Tk 20,000 from an NGO to build the house. She along with her two young sons is now passing days under the open sky, said Sajeda.

Sixty-year-old Abdul Gafur said the Dhalai devoured his house a few days ago.

Another erosion-hit victim Abida Begum said “My thatched hut went into the river, but I’m yet to receive any help from the government or NGO to rebuild my house.”

Jamshed Mia, a farmer in the area, said his crops on four bighas of land were devoured by the river.

Abdul Gafur, another resident of the village, said if the dam was repaired in their area in time before the erosion, they would not have been harmed.

Helal Uddin, a member of Adampur Union Parishad, said the government is yet to provide any assistance to the erosion-hit victims.

Moulvibazar Water Development Board (WDB) Executive Engineer Ranendra Chakraborty said in 2017, a project was undertaken to repair the dam, but it was later postponed due to objection from some local people.

Executive Officer of the upazila parishad Ashekul Haque said they will provide support to the victims soon.

WDB authorities will be asked to take steps to repair the damaged dam, said Ashekul Haque.