Erosion makes 530 families homeless in a week

Homesteads facing erosion by the Jamuna in Khanchapara village in Fulchhari upazila in Gaibandha. PHOTO: STAR

P0anicked people of Khan-chapara and adjoining Sarderer Char village are leaving homes for safer places as the two villages are on the verge of being washed away, local people told this correspondent during a visit to the area yesterday.

There were 750 families in Khanchapata. After Jamuna devoured homes of 530 families, most of the remaining 220 are preparing to leave the area, they said.

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About 45 homeless families have taken shelter at a nearby flood centre constructed by local NGO Samaj Kallan Sangstha, which is also facing erosion. The rest of the victims have moved to the flood control embankment. They are in a deplorable condition, suffering for want of food and drinking water.

The river has also devoured the Khanchapara Community Centre on Tuesday. Every day, big areas are collapsing into the river.

"You can't realise the fury of the river unless you see it", said Hashem Ali, a victim.

"We have nothing to do against the nature. Well-to-do people are becoming landless in days", said Abu Sama Mandol, another victim.

Mamun, an NGO worker said they are trying to rescue erosion victims and help them to shift their houses and belongings".

Jamuna is playing the havoc all along its 25-kilometer western bank and the number of erosion victims is increasing day by day, Mamun said.

The most vulnerable areas are Kamarjani, Dhutichora, Gideri and Baguria in Gaibandha Sader upazila; Bhaserpara, Rasulpur, Sayedpur, Balashi, Kanchipara, Fazlupur and Fulchari in Faulchari upazila; Haldia, Ghurudaha and Kanaipara in Shaghata upazila.

Gaibandha municipal area is now only three and a half kilometers off the erosion point.

Water Development Board (WDB) undertook two riverbank protection projects in Kamarjani and Fulchari involving Tk 42 crore, which is too scanty to the requirement, local people said. The work is now stopped due to fund shortage.

The authorities allocate funds during the rainy season, which is of little use to stop the erosion, they alleged.

Local political parties on different occasions held rallies, formed human chains and submitted memorandums to the authorities for steps for a permanent solution to the problem but to no effect so far, the local people said.