Teesta devours farmland, homesteads

Saudpara village in Kolkond union under Gangachhara upazila of Rangpur faces constant onslaught of the Teesta. Photo: Star

Erosion by the River Teesta took an alarming turn in the last six days, creating panic among the villagers at Saudpara in Kolkond union under Gangachara upazila as it devoured a vast tract of cropland and a large number of homesteads and orchards.   

The erosion-hit people, who took shelter on roads and high land, have been facing acute crisis of drinking water and food, said locals.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found many villagers leaving their homesteads for safer places in fear of further erosion.

Shamsul Islam, a resident of the village, said he lost everything due to the onslaught by the river.

“My one acre of cultivable land and homestead had gone into the river during the period,” said Abul Kalam, a farmer of the area.

Despite repeated pleas, the authorities are yet to take any remarkable step to check the erosion, said the villagers.

Mominur Islam, chairman of Kolkond union parishad, said erosion by the river eroded about 25 acres of croplands and left at least 50 families homeless in the last six days.

We already informed the higher authorities, seeking their assistance, said the chairman.