Thousands face river erosion in Panchagarh

Thousands of people of several villages in Panchagarh's Boda upazila are facing extreme sufferings as the lone road connecting the upazila headquarters got damaged badly due to erosion of the Karatoa river.

The villages include Sonachandi, Sarcarpara, Bandarmoni, Nicharghat and Araji Shikarpur in the upazila.

Due to onrush of water from upstream and heavy rain, erosion has taken a serious turn, devouring different establishments, homesteads and croplands in the areas.

On the other hand, schools, mosque, graveyard and houses of over 100 families are under threat of being washed away due to erosion of the river, said locals.

The villagers alleged that despite repeated pleas, the authorities concerned are yet to take any steps to resist the river erosion and save the important road from further damage.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found that different parts of Fultala-Shalshiri-Manikpir-Garerdanga road have collapsed into the river, causing immense sufferings to commuters. It is the lone road connecting the upazila headquarters and important haat-bazars.

The erosion has begun near Araji Shikarpur Sarcarpara Government Primary School, devouring a number of establishments, houses and croplands.

Asadul Islam, a resident of Sarkarpara area, said traffic movement has almost come to a halt due to damage of the road, causing immense sufferings to locals. The villagers, especially critically patients, are the worst sufferers.

Abdur Razzak of the same area said they have to suffer a lot at the time of bringing agricultural products to the markets for sale due to dire state of the road.

He further added that local people are now passing their days in fear of losing their homesteads and croplands due to the river erosion.

Although the erosion has taken a serious turn, the authorities concerned are yet to take any steps to resist it, said Razzak. 

Abul Kalam Azad, chairman of Banghari Bangram Union Parishad, said in the last financial year, the Water Development Board (WDB) in the district allocated Tk 30 lakh to prevent the river erosion of the site but it did not work actually. Sand bags were dumped only to resist the erosion.   

Asar Ali, an elderly citizen from Bandarmoni area, said every year the river devours a number of establishments of the village.

He also said that despite repeated promises pledged by public representatives, any sustainable embankment is yet to be built.

If immediate steps are not taken to build the embankment, houses, mosques and schools may go into the river anytime, said Asar Ali.

Thakurgaon WDB Executive Engineer Rabiul Islam said the river has taken a serious turn at various places.

They have already informed the higher authorities about construction of embankment in the erosion-prone area but yet to get any response, said the WDB official.