Teesta turns furious in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat
Erosion of the Teesta river has taken a serious turn devouring roads, educational and religious establishments, homesteads and cultivable lands at 10 points in four unions of Kurigram and Lalmonirhat.
Many people in erosion-hit areas are busy shifting their houses, assets to safer places. The erosion victims took shelter on nearby highlands and many have migrated to other areas.
According to Kurigram and Lalmonirhat Water Development Board (WDB) sources, onrush of water from upstream has intensified erosion in Bajra union of Ulipur upazila and Gharialdanga union of Rajarhat upazila in Kurigram and Gokunda union of Lalmonirhat Sadar and Mahishkhocha union of Aditmari upazila in Lalmonirhat along the Teesta basin.
Rezaul Karimon Amin, the chairman of Bajra Union Parishad (UP) in Ulipur upazila, said that 50 homesteads, more than 100 bighas of cultivable land, part of a road, a government primary school, a madrasa and a mosque have been devoured by the Teesta River in his union in the last two days. As the erosion by Teesta River continuing, many more homesteads, farmlands and infrastructures are under threat, he said.
"The water of the river Teesta has suddenly risen in the upstream. As the water receded, the erosion has intensified at four places in the union. People in the erosion-hit areas shifting their belongings to safer places," he added.
Ulipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nur-a-Jannat Rumi said she had visited the erosion affected areas and she is closely observing the situation.
A list of the affected families and lost assets is being prepared. The government will provide assistance to the erosion victims, she said.
Mizanur Rahman, executive engineer of WDB in Lalmonirhat, said they were visiting the eroded areas. They will start work to prevent erosion through temporary work in the most vulnerable areas, he said.
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