RANGPUR, Aug 30: With the recession of flood water, erosion by the mighty river Teesta has taken a devastating turn rendering at least 200 families homeless at different areas of Kawnia Upazila under the district during last 15 days.
Besides, around 180 hectares of crop fields, vegetable gardens under the areas have also been devoured by the ferocious river. The most affected villages are Nijpara,Chargonai, Char Hazrat Khan, Char Dhushmara,Char Biswanath Char Tapur, Talukshahbaz, AjamKha and Haricharan of the upazila.
Many villagers are taking shelter on the embankment and roads. Many dwellers said they have been passing days in acute misery.
Rabiul Mia, a victim of Nijpara village under the upazila said that Teesta engulfed his house. Though he shifted his house four times in a week to escape from erosion, eventually he failed to save that. Besides one acre of his crop lands have also been devoured by the river, he further said.
A large number of victims said that Teesta devoured everything on its bank and they hardly could save their household belongings from the erosion of the river.
In this circumstance, the people of the areas have made an appeal to the government to take immediate measures to protect their lives and properties from erosion.
Chairman of Tepamadhupur Union Parishad Shafiqul Islam said erosion by the mighty river Teesta has taken a serious turn during last few days. Everyday several houses are being devoured by the river, leaving a good number of people turned pauper, he said. As the government is yet to take any permanent measures to prevent erosion in the areas, every year the same situation occurs resulting in massive losses of crops and properties, he added.
Sources said relief activities have already been started in most of the affected areas. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Syed Farhad Hossain has already visited the affected areas and distributed relief and cash among the affected people. A list of the affected people has also been sent to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office for more allotment of relief and cash, sources added.
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