Horrible erosion increased as the Teesta river water receded in Lalmonirhat. Thousands of people on the banks of Teesta are afraid of river erosion. Already, more than a hundred residential houses and various structures in 6 unions of Hatibandha Upazila of Lalmonirhat have been lost in the river. Schools, mosques and madrassas are under threat.
At 3 pm on Thursday, July 11, the Teesta barrage point recorded a water level of 51.40 m, (danger limit 52.15 m) which is flowing 75 cm below the danger limit. Although the water has decreased, the erosion has increased.
Every year, various structures including settlements and arable land are being lost due to river erosion. The map of the upazila is shrinking every year due to erosion on both sides. In the current season, more than two hundred houses in the upazila have disappeared under the river Teesta. In the past few days, shelters of hundreds of families in Sindurna, Daua Bari and Patikapara of the upazila have been washed away in the river.
These affected families are losing their livelihoods and becoming disoriented. Many have taken shelter on embanked roads and government land and school grounds. Wapda embankment and Hatibandha bypass road at Taleb intersection of Gaddimari in Hatibandha are at risk of erosion. Water Development Board is laying geo bags to protect Spur Dam and Chandimari Dam as part of emergency work.
Hatibandha Upazila Dauabari Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Adv. Moshiur Rahman said, six wards of my union are in the riverside area. Erosion has occurred in these areas. In the last few days, 70 houses have been destroyed due to the rise of water.
Meanwhile, erosion has started in Teestar Kutirpar Balur Dam of Mahishkhocha Union of Aditmari Upazila of the district since Wednesday afternoon. 49 crore rupees is under threat. On the ground, it was seen that after Wednesday evening, 5 houses were lost under the river. The distressed people took their belongings, cows and goats and took shelter on higher ground. Locals are working voluntarily to prevent erosion. There are thousands of families under threat of collapse.
Also, with the receding of flood water, river erosion has occurred at some points of Gokunda, Rajpur and Khuniagach Union of Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila. In the last few days, 25 houses have disappeared in the river. Unable to find space, the helpless people have piled their houses and furniture on the banks of various roads and embankments. Some are again living a non-human life under the open sky
Sunil Kumar, executive engineer of Paubo Lalmonirhat, said that geo bags are already being thrown in the areas affected by erosion. We are constantly monitoring.
Lalmonirhat District Commissioner Mohammad Ullah said that upazila executive officers have been ordered to list the affected families. Water Development Board is working to protect Teesta’s dangerous dam.
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