Erosion renders over 600 families homeless

Char Chaluabari Government Primary School under Kutubpur union in Sariakandhi upazila of Bogra is almost engulfed by the Jamuna as erosion by the river has taken a serious turn in the upazila. Photo: Star

Erosion by the River Brahmaputra took a serious turn in the last two weeks, rendering over 300 families homeless in Ghogadaho and Jattrapur unions under Kurigram Sadar upazila.
Besides, Jattrapur Government Primary School is facing serious erosion threat, reports our correspondent.
The erosion-hit people have taken shelter on high lands and roads, said local Water Development Board (WDB) sources.
Of the families, 28 were rendered homeless in Char Jattrapur, 22 in Ghaneshampur, 25 in Garuhara, 25 in Char Parbattipur, 150 in Bhagabatipur and 15 in Porerchar under Jattrapur union while 45 in Char Raulia, Rasulpur and Khamar village under Ghogadaho union during the period, said the UP chairmen.
During a recent visit, this correspondent found many villagers leaving their homesteads for safer places in fear of further erosion.
Headmaster of Jattrapur Government Primary School said “If immediate steps are not taken to save the school from the erosion, academic activities of 505 students will be hampered badly.”
The school might go into the water anytime as the river is flowing around 18 meter near the institution, said Abdul Gafur, chairman of Jattrapur Union Parishad.
Contacted, Lalmonirhat WDB Executive Engineer Abdul Kader said, we wrote to the higher authorities for fund to thwart the erosion but no response yet to come.
Away in Bogra, at least 300 families in Kutubpur and Chandanbaisha unions under Shariakandi upazila shifted their homesteads to safer places as erosion by Jamuna River took an alarming turn in the last couple of weeks, reports our correspondent.
A vast tract of cropland, several homesteads and government and non-government establishments in Dhalirkandi, Nijkornipara, Boyrakandi, Chandanbaisha, Baluchar, Rohodoha and Kamalpur areas of the upazila were devoured by the river, said locals.
The mighty Jamuna eroded Chaluabari Primary School. Besides, Kashiahata, Kamalpur and Chandanbaisha government primary schools are now under threat of erosion.
Rouhodoho Bazar, the only market of the area, is also facing serious erosion threat, said the villagers.
Bogra WDB Executive Engineer Nurul Islam said we wrote to the higher authorities for fund to check the erosion but no response yet to come.