After flood, Teesta erosion tossing villagers into uncertainty

Flood waters have receded in Kurigram, but on its footsteps, a more compelling and treacherous adversity has followed into the lives of those living on the banks of the Teesta river.

Teesta erosion has already thrown over 200 families into a homeless state in July and snatched away hundreds of acres of cultivated lands in Bidyananda and Najimkhan unions in Rajarhat upazila.

At least 68 families of Shom Narayan village of Najimkhan union have been evicted already, said Bishnu Chandra Das, 45, a fisherman and erosion victim, complained to The Daily Star.

Shafiqul Islam, executive engineer of Water Development Board in Kurigram, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and said he received insufficient funds for embankment.

“I sent a proposal for a 700-metre embankment in Tayab Kha village. But I only received only Tk 33 lakh in two terms as allocation. We are working on a 400-metre embankment,” he said.

“I have prayed for additional Tk 83 lakh for proper embankment,” he added.