After floods, erosion wreaking havoc in Kurigram

Residents of country's poorest district cope with double whammy of disaster

FE Team | Published: July 14, 2024 22:02:11

KURIGRAM, July 14 (UNB): "We are heading to my sister's house in Guzimarir Char for refuge," said Rokeya from Haquer Char, a woman who just recently lost her homestead to the recent flood that stranded around 0.2 million (2 lakh) people in the northern district of Kurigram.
Their son, Ruhul Amin, is taking his HSC exams from a hostel in Ulipur upazila, while their daughter, Sharmin, an 8th-grader, now struggles to continue her education due to distance and transportation issues. She somehow managed to talk about her family's situation while taking a last look at what used to be their home, now swallowed by the river, before stepping onto the boat with their remaining possessions.
Rokeya and her husband, Shahaabul, an agricultural laborer, are relocating with their belongings from their destroyed home in Hatia Union.
Despite the receding waters of 16 rivers in Kurigram, the Brahmaputra river at Chilmari point remains perilously high, flowing 17 centimeters above the danger mark. The resultant river erosion has left 458 families homeless, exacerbating the misery of flood victims.
District Commissioner Mohammad Saidul Arif reported that the floods have impacted nine upazilas, 55 unions, and one municipality, submerging 662.75 square kilometers. Relief efforts have been insufficient.
Mozaffar Hossain, chairman of Saheber Alga Union Parishad, described the severity of the situation in the Char areas: "In my union alone, 197 families have been rendered destitute by river erosion during this flood."
Among the worst-hit areas are Haquer Char, with 90 families, Dakkhin Namazer Char with 47 families, and Daikhawar Char with 60 families. Hossain mentioned that while his union comprises approximately 6,500 families, only 500 are financially stable. The rest are mostly poor, with 90 per cent of the population trapped by floodwaters.
So far, the residents of the union have received 2 tonnes of rice and 100 packets of dry food as relief. Many have yet to receive any relief.
Amjad Ali from Haquer Char, along with his wife and three children, is also facing an uncertain future. "For now, we will seek refuge with relatives," he said, as his family packed their few belongings.
Hazra Begum, another resident of Haquer Char, expressed her despair after losing her government-provided house to the river. "If you can, please ask the government to give us a house again. Otherwise, we have nowhere to live," she pleaded.
Shahabuddin, 70, and Hajera Bewa, 65, who have lived in Haquer Char since 2010, also lost their government-provided house to erosion. They are now moving out.
"We are moving to a char in Raniganj Union of Chilmari Upazila. We urgently need new shelters," Shahabuddin said.
Former Hatia Union chairman Abul Hossain described the relentless erosion of Haquer Char as being eroded by the Brahmaputra River in a U-shape. "The entire char is gradually being swallowed by the river," he said.
The area serves as a refuge for people from four different unions who have been repeatedly displaced by river erosion, resulting in a lack of coordinated support for these vulnerable communities.
"This char is situated at the border of Hatia Union, Nayarhat, Saheber Alga, and Raniganj. People from these four unions have sought refuge in this char at various times due to river erosion. Consequently, no union parishad takes significant responsibility for them, leaving them neglected," he said.
At the Guzimari in Hatia Union, 90 families have endured waterlogged conditions for about 20 days, with no work or money. Despite their dire situation, no government relief has reached them.
Residents like Ful Mia,65, Dulu,60, Mukul,57, Saherbanu Bewa,70, Rahima Bewa,65, expressed their frustration. "If I don't get work, I go without food. Due to the floods, no one is hiring me now," Rahima said. Saherbanu Bewa, who relies on begging, can no longer do so due to the floodwaters.
The number of flood-affected families in Kurigram now stands at 37,100, with 458 families displaced by river erosion and 7,350 hectares of crops damaged.