Many families have lost their way due to the erosion of Kaljani river in Dhaldanga area bordering Bhurungamari upazila of Kurigram. Over a hundred settlements have disappeared under the river in a few days. Some have lost their homes under the open sky, some have taken shelter in their relatives' houses. The people of North and South Dhaldanga spend their days in fear of this erosion of the river every day.
According to local sources, the heavy flow and continuous erosion of the Kaljani River in North and South Dhaldanga areas adjacent to the Indian border in Shilkuri Union are causing extensive damage. Every day many families are becoming destitute as new areas are lost under the river.
Residents and local public representatives said that at present, severe erosion is continuing in an area of ​​about 1,400 meters in North Dhaldanga and about 1,600 meters in South Dhaldanga. The houses, plants and crops are disappearing instantly due to the strong current of the river.
Yusuf Hossain, the former chairman of Shilkuri Union Parishad, said that in the last one year, around 1,000 families have lost their homes due to the erosion of the Kaljani river and were forced to move to other places. Currently, the traditional North Dhaldanga High School and Boubazar are also under the threat of river erosion.
Moin Uddin, Sahej Uddin, Monir Hossain and Surman Ali, residents of the landslide-affected area, said that many families lost everything in a few days of erosion. Some have managed to evacuate their houses, while many have seen their houses sink into the river before their eyes. In their words, the river is swallowing every day.
Ansar Ali, UP member of ward number three, said that every day helpless people are coming to him with requests for help. Some are asking for food, some are seeking shelter, and some are demanding to take effective measures to prevent erosion.
Annapurna Debnath, Deputy Commissioner of Kurigram, visited the affected area last Saturday afternoon to see the severity of the situation. Senior officials of the Administration and Water Development Board were also present at this time.
Anwara Begum, who is afraid of losing her land, said, “The river on one side, the Indian border on the other side. We have nowhere to go. If we don't take immediate action, we will be completely destitute.”
Char Development and Implementation Council President Shafiqul Islam Bebu demanded long-term state initiatives for the people affected by the river erosion. He said, “Permanent compensation and rehabilitation measures should be ensured for the families affected by the collapse. Besides, it is necessary to formulate effective laws and policies in this regard.”
Assuring the victims, Deputy Commissioner Annapurna Debnath said, “Emergency steps are being taken to prevent river erosion. Sand-filled geo bags will be started soon.”
He said that initially two thousand geo bags will be dropped and more measures will be taken as per the need.
Rakibul Hasan, executive engineer of the Water Development Board, said, “In the first phase, two thousand geo bags will be dropped. Additional geo bags will also be provided considering the situation.”
