The water level in the Teesta River upstream has gone down, reducing the risk of flooding. However, because of this, the riverbanks are now more vulnerable to erosion.
Houses and arable land in Kurigram's Rajarhat have been washed away by the Teesta River. More than 100 families, along with markets, paved roads, mosques, and schools, are now under threat.
Kurigram Water Development Board Executive Engineer Abdullah Al Mamun provided this information.
The Indian Meteorological Department predicts moderate rainfall in the upstream Teesta basin, which may cause the Teesta river water level to rise again. However, it's expected to stay below or near the danger level at Dalia and Kaunia points.
According to the Kurigram Water Development Board overall risk of flooding has decreased. At 3pm on Friday, the Teesta water was 45cm below the danger level at Kaunia point in Rangpur.
Although the water level in the Teesta River has gone down, there has been a sudden increase in erosion in Rajarhat, Kurigram.
Erosion from the Teesta river has begun in Ramhari and Chatura villages of Biddanondo union in this region. This has led to the loss of hundreds of acres of farmland in these villages, and even some brick houses in Ramhari village were swept away by the river due to erosion that started on Thursday night.
Milan, a local resident, voiced his concerns, said: "Even though the floodwaters have receded, we are now facing a sudden surge in river erosion. Kalirhat Government Primary School, along with hundreds of acres of farmland and people's homes, is at risk from this erosion. While the Water Development Board has started using geo bags as a preventive measure, the quantity seems inadequate. I doubt that this erosion can be effectively stopped with just a few geo bags."
He also pointed out the vulnerability of the Chatura dam, a place where thousands seek refuge during floods and erosion. He expressed worries about the potential risk to this local dam due to erosion.
Khokon, a local school teacher, said: "Some parts of my house were damaged three to four days ago, and the remaining land was washed away on Thursday night. Additionally, the houses of Tofazzal and Keramat, who are daily wage labourers, were also affected. The areas at risk include arable land, the local Sonar Jumma Jame Masjid, school, and settlement."
Executive Engineer Abdullah Al Mamun said: "Erosion has begun in the Teesta river. Schools, mosques, Kalirhat Bazar, and other structures in the Biddanondo union are now under threat."
When asked about the prevention work, the executive engineer said: "We are actively working to prevent erosion. Approximately 300 geo bags were placed throughout the day on Friday. I have personally visited the site and given instructions to continue placing geo bags overnight. Currently, we plan to use a total of 1,200 geo bags."
