The Brahmaputra River erodes Haque’s char areas under Ulipur upazila of Kurigram. Photo: Golam Rabbani
Kurigram, a district nestled in the northern reaches of Bangladesh, is currently facing a profound crisis exacerbated by relentless river erosion. Sixteen major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar, have begun receding, leaving a wake of devastation in their path. The consequences have been dire, with 458 homes swept away into the turbulent waters, leaving their inhabitants desperate for shelter and aid.
Those affected by the erosion are running here and there in search of shelter. People are in great distress due to lack of sanitation, and food shortage.
Meanwhile, 10 families affected by floods in Bangladesh part have temporarily built houses for shelter near the Indian border, but the Indian Border Guard Force (BSF) is not allowing them to stay.
“BSF has given a 3-day ultimatum to the victims to move out on the pretext of the border law,” Jatrapur union chairman Abdul Ghafur told UNB. The matter was reported to BGB, he added.
“All in all, the flood victims are in dire straits.”
He also said that about 200 houses in his union have been washed away by the Brahmaputra River. Of them, 55 houses were in Bhagwatipur, 40 in Barua, 55 in Ralakata, 26 in Jhunkar Char, 11 in Parvatipur, and 13 in Char Jatrapur.
The UP chairman also said that his union was the most affected by the recent floods. Every day hundreds of needy people are flocking to his home with various problems including food items, shelter. “I am very worried about it,” he added.
Efforts to alleviate the suffering have been initiated, albeit amidst significant challenges. The Union Parishad, in collaboration with governmental agencies, has distributed 17 tons of rice to 1,700 affected families as immediate relief.
However, these efforts are just a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of the crisis
“A list was prepared for the shelter of 200 families affected by the floods. It will be submitted to the concerned office soon,” added the chairman.
M Abdul Hai Sarkar, an official of the District Disaster Management Directorate, confirmed that 458 houses were lost in the river due to river erosion. A total of 1,63, 000 people in 55 unions of 9 upazilas of the district were affected by the flood.
Besides, 609 metric tons of rice, Tk 35.85 lakh were distributed to mitigate the suffering of the flood hit people, he added
Mohammad Saidul Arif, deputy commissioner of Kurigram, said that the list of victims of the river is being prepared. “They will receive assistance soon.”
In response to the crisis, substantial relief measures have been mobilized, including the distribution of 609 metric tons of rice and financial aid amounting to Tk 35.85 lakh. These efforts, though commendable, highlight the ongoing struggle to meet the overwhelming demands of the affected population
As Kurigram grapples with this humanitarian catastrophe, the immediate focus remains on providing essential relief to those displaced and rebuilding shattered lives. The resilience and solidarity of the community, coupled with coordinated governmental and international support, will be pivotal in navigating through this unprecedented crisis of river erosion.
Messenger/Fameema
