More than 250 houses have been washed away by the Teesta River in Ulipur upazila of Kurigram in the last three days.
The bank of the Teesta River has been eroding in West Kalpani Bajra, Kalpani Bajra and Satalskar villages of Bajra Union of the upazila since last month.
Due to the sudden intensity of the erosion, the Teesta River devoured 500 bighas of cropland, a community clinic, educational institutions, markets, mosques, temples, Eidgah grounds in the union.
Maulvi Refakat Hossain, superintendent of Bajra Paschim Para Dakhil Madrasa, said half of the madrasa had been devoured by the Teesta River since Wednesday. “The remaining part will also be washed away soon.”
The villagers requested the Bangladesh Water Development Board to take immediate preventive measures.
Ulipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Bipul Kumar said the union chairman and members were asked to list those affected by the erosion at the earliest.
“Assistance will be provided once the list is received,” he added.
“We also updated the erosion issues with the BWDB. They said that they cannot do anything due to lack of budget.”
Meanwhile, Executive Engineer of Kurigram BWDB Abdullah Al Mamun said erosion has suddenly started due to river management measures upstream of the villages.
“We have reported the matter to the higher authorities. Action will be taken soon.”