Erosion renders 100 families homeless

Many roads, houses and vast tracts of croplands have been washed away as the Katakhali river in Saghata upazila continued swelling in the last two weeks.

Erosion by the river rendered around 100 families homeless at four villages in the upazila during the time while over 30 families are under threat in the areas, said Shajahan Ali, a member of Kachua union parishad.

The affected villages are Ramnagar, Kachua, Satitola and Chandanpat.

The riverside villagers are also passing their days in great panic as the river has continued swelling in the areas, said locals.

The erosion-hit people have already taken shelter on government roads and high lands, they said.

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

Erosion victim Fahimuddin of Kachua village in Saghata upazila said they have been driven away from their house by river erosion thrice in the last seven years.

‘I have lost all of my belongings to the river during the time,” he said, adding that this time his house is also under threat of erosion by the river.

“My homestead on five decimals of land and two bighas of croplands went under water due to erosion by the river in the last two days,” said Abdus Samad of Kachua village.

Abul Hossain of Ramnagar village said almost all the dwellings in the area went into the river.

Mohiuddin Akand, president Ramnagar union unit of Awami League, said the villages were affected badly due to erosion by the river this time.

The erosion victims need relief materials and rehabilitation this moment, he said.

Mahbuber Rahman, chairman of Kachua union parishad, said they informed the authorities concerned including Water Development Board to take immediate steps to check the widespread erosion.

He also sought help for the erosion-hit people, said the chairman.

Mithun Kundu, project implementation officer of Saghata upazila, said they have sent proposal to the higher authority to allocate relief for the erosion victims.