Swollen river eroding banks in Kalmakanda

Swelled up by the flash flood that started last week, the Mahadeo river is eroding Baruakona Bazar area in Netrakona’s Kalmakanda upazila.

Several dwellings in the area, under Rongchhati union, have already been devoured by the river and unless immediate steps are taken, the situation can turn for the worse during the ongoing monsoon season, said Mozammel Haque, member of Rongchhati Union Parishad.

Aus crops and Aman seedbeds in the area have also been affected by the flash flood, but despite the fact, no steps have yet been taken even after officials of Water Development Board (WDB) visited the area last Friday, he alleged.

Flash floods cause damage and erosion every year in the area and there needs to be a well-devised plan to cope with the situation, he also said.  

Around 3,000 families were affected after an onrush of water from hills across the border early Wednesday flooded 25 villages in Rongchhati, Kharnoi and Lengura unions in Kalmakanda.  

While speaking with this correspondent, Kalmakanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Zakir Hossain said he visited the affected areas on Saturday and he already asked the WDB to initiate a project for saving the area from erosion.

The villages have been flooded as local rivers including the Sumeshwari, Mahadeo, Mohishkhola and Dhaleshwari swelled up by the incoming water from the hills, he said.   

Near about 50 ponds and eight kilometres of unpaved roads were also affected in the flash flood, causing sufferings to thousands of villagers, he added. 

Rongchhati Union Parishad Chairman Tahera Khatun said the situation is getting better after the floodwater started to recede since Thursday.

Local lawmaker Manu Majumder visited the affected areas and distributed relief materials among flood victims on Friday.