River erosion takes serious turn in Gaibandha

9 July 2010, 18:00 PM

Bss, Gaibandha

River erosion has taken a serious turn at various places of Shaghata upazila in Gaibandha as the water of the Brahmaputra recedes during the last few days. Local sources said a vast tract of cropland and a good number of dwelling houses have been washed away by the erosion of the river leaving at least 50 families homeless. The most affected areas of the upazila are Chalkpara, Hatbari, Hasilkandi, Chinirpatal, Kamarpura, Kumarpara, Holdia and Dihalkandi. The homeless people of the vulnerable areas are in great panic as incidents of robbery have increased in the areas. Shaghata upazila headquarters, upazila port, flood control embankment, academic institutions, business establishments, mosques and temples are facing threat of erosion. Local lawmaker Fazley Rabbi Miah and Upazila Parishad Chairman AHM Golam Shahid Ranju visited the erosion affected areas separately few days ago and assured the locals of taking necessary steps to protect the vulnerable areas. To mitigate the sufferings of the affected people upazila administration has allocated two tonnes of rice under emergency relief assistance programmes, office sources said.