Kurigram Correspondent: Dhaka, Aug-23,

Over 100 families in Ulipur upazila of Kurigram district have lost their homes to erosion by the Teesta River in just one week.

Villages like Arjun in Daldalia Union and Gorai Pier, Dalal Para, Hokdanga and Doctor Para in Thetrai Union of the upazila have been hit hard by the turbulent river.

Five educational institutions, two community clinics, roads and one hundred acres of arable land now stand threatened due to the gushing water from the river, locals said.

At least 500 families of these areas have turned paupers as they lost their homes and lands in this monsoon alone, the correspondent reported after visiting the affected areas.

Ziaur Rahman, a resident of Arjun village in Daldalia union, said,” Although much of the village was devoured by the river, no visible steps have been taken in this regard by the authorities concerned.”

The residents of other affected villages also made the same allegations.

Ayub Ali, chairman of Khetrai Union Parishad, said, “This is the worst situation we’ve been facing here for the past few days.

“The river is swallowing houses and lands within a blink of an eye in the last two days,” he said.

“I’ve informed the Water Development Board and the upazila administration to immediately take steps to deal with the situation,” he added.

Contacted, Executive Engineer of Kurigram Water Development Board Ariful Islam said geo bags have been duped to check the riverbank erosion as an immediate step.

“Authorities will work out a better solution to the longstanding problem once they get the necessary allocations,” he added.

End/Dct/Corr/Nat/