Dharla erosion takes serious turn in Lalmonirhat

The Dharla devoured about half a kilometre portion of Lalmonirhat-Fulbari road at Shiberkuti and Shimulbari villages in Kulaghat union under Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila. Erosion by the river has taken a serious turn during the last few days. PHOTO: STAR

The River Dharla devoured about half a kilometer portion of Lalmonirhat-Phulbari road at Shiberkuti and Shimulbari villages in Sadar upazila in the last few days, causing immense sufferings to the villagers.
A large number of homesteads and a vast tract of croplands and orchards in the areas had gone into the riverbed during the period.
The erosion-hit people have already taken shelter on roads and high land, said an official of local Water Development Board (WDB).
The villagers expressed concern as the river devoured the road, which is the only way to communicate with other areas, including the town.
The road was devoured by the river due to negligence of the authorities, said Idris Ali, chairman of Kulaghat union parishad.
Because, local WDB and Roads and Highway Department (RHD) did not take any steps to protect the road earlier despite repeated pleas, he said.
More than 1000 families of six villages might have been rendered homeless anytime as they face erosion threat, added the UP chairman.
Samad Miah, an erosion-hit victim of Shiberkuti village, sugarcane on his 10 bighas of land was eroded by the river during the period.
Contacted, Lalmonirhar RHD Executive Engineer Suruz Miah said it is the duty of WDB to protect the road from the erosion.
Executive Engineer of WDB Kurigram Zone Abu Taher said, we have already sent a letter to the higher authorities for fund to thwart the erosion but to no response yet.