Unusual and aggressive erosion has begun along the Teesta River in the Gangachara upazila of Rangpur, despite the dry season and low water flow. The Shankar Daha area of Laxmitari Union is bearing the brunt of this relentless erosion, which has already swallowed at least 50 acres of farmland and the homes of 10 families in the past two months. Worryingly, the erosion is now only about 300 meters away from the Rangpur-Kakina highway, raising fears among locals that the village of Shankar Daha could be wiped off the map and the crucial road threatened during the upcoming monsoon season.
A visit to the erosion-affected area on Saturday revealed a palpable sense of fear and anxiety gripping the residents of Shankar Daha. Locals witnessed firsthand the continuous disappearance of their precious agricultural land. Karim Mia, a victim of the erosion, lamented, "We have lost everything in this recent erosion. Our house is gone, and so is our land. Every day, our maize fields and other lands are being devoured by the river." He expressed his deep concern that if the erosion continues unabated, the entire Shankar Daha village will be obliterated.
Ramazan Ali, a local Union Parishad member, stated that Shankar Daha once housed approximately 450 families. However, over the past few years, floods and the Teesta's relentless erosion have forced many to leave. Of the remaining 80 families, 10, including those of Karim Mia, Alimuddin, and Abdur Rashid, have lost their homes in the unseasonal erosion of the last two months. He added that they are witnessing the continuous destruction of their croplands with their own eyes.
Abdullah Al Hadi, Chairman of Laxmitari Union Parishad, emphasized the severity of the situation, saying that the relentless erosion is causing Shankar Daha village to vanish from the map. He pointed out that the erosion is now dangerously close, within 300 meters, of the Rangpur-Kakina highway, and warned that the road will be under serious threat during the upcoming monsoon if measures are not taken immediately to prevent further erosion. He also mentioned that the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) had visited the affected area following their appeal.
Mahmudul Hasan Mridha, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, confirmed the visit and stated that he has already written to the Deputy Commissioner and the Water Development Board authorities to take necessary steps to prevent further erosion. He expressed hope that work to control the erosion would commence soon.
When contacted, Rabiul Islam, Executive Engineer of the Rangpur Water Development Board, acknowledged the unusual erosion in the Shankar Daha area of Gangachara. He informed that a proposal has been sent to higher authorities regarding the matter and that erosion control work will begin upon receiving approval.
