Teesta devours over 600 houses in five days

With the flood water receding, erosion by the Teesta River took a serious turn in Gangachara upazila in five days till yesterday, creating panic among the people close to the riverbank.

Villagers said, at least 600 dwelling houses, a vast tract of arable land and a large number of trees of the area were washed away during the last five days.

Besides ten classrooms of Paikan Akboria Yousufia Fazil Madrasa went into the river.

The victims said, Teesta devoured their almost everything and they hardly could save their household belongings from the erosion.

Many of the affected people are now facing crisis of food and fresh water.

The homeless people have taken shelter on the roads and other safer places and are passing a sub human life.

Abdul Aziz, a villager of Saudpara said, "I lost my everything in the river."

Rafiqul Islam, a farmer of the same village, said severe erosion by the river devoured his three acre of cultivable land and homesteads along with a number of trees.

Villagers apprehended that the erosion in the adjacent areas likely to intensify further.

The victims urged the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to stop the  onslaught of the river.

Chairman of Alambiditar union parishad Mokarram Hossain Sujon said, the river devoured at least 300 dwelling houses and around 100 acres of croplands besides a large number of trees during the last five days.

He said, "I have already informed the authorities about the matter seeking necessary assistance".

Contacted, Mahbubur Rahman, Executive Engineer of Rangpur Water Development Board, said they were trying their best to stop the erosion by dumping sandbags on the bank of river.