Teesta erosion puts 20,000 people at risk in Rajarhat

RAJARHAT, KURIGRAM, Sept 2: A 40-metre section of the Burirhat cross-dam on the Teesta River in Rajarhat Upazila was washed away by river erosion on Tuesday morning, putting around 20,000 people in six villages at risk.

The erosion suddenly began around 7am, according to local residents and eyewitnesses. The Water Development Board (WDB) has started dumping geo-bags to prevent further erosion.

Locals fear that the entire dam could collapse unless immediate and effective measures are taken, putting residents of six villages �" Bardarga, Burirhat, Ramhari, Chatura, Kalirmela and Dangrarhat �" at direct risk.

Homes, homesteads, croplands and at least five markets could also be affected, they said.

According to the WDB, the Teesta's water level at the Kaunia station was 28.73 metres at 6am on Tuesday and rose to 28.75 metres at 9am. The danger level at the station is 29.31 metres.

Locals said erosion initially affected part of the road over the Burirhat cross-dam before spreading to both its northern and southern sides.

They said the situation had become more precarious as strong currents were washing away soil and sand from underneath the dam.
Local resident Md Salam Mia alleged that they had noticed signs of erosion last year as well as this year but no effective measures were taken despite informing the authorities.

“Yesterday, we saw that the river current was very strong. We had noticed signs of erosion this year, as we did last year. We informed several people about the risk, but no effective steps were taken then,” he said.

Another Burirhat resident, Maidul Islam, 35, said sand had accumulated at the site during the dry season and a section had subsided slightly, but no work was carried out.

“Now the water level has risen and the sand is gone. How will they control the erosion?” he asked.
WDB Executive Engineer Md Rakibul Hasan said they inspected the site after receiving reports of the sudden erosion at the Burirhat cross-dam.

“Necessary measures have been taken to prevent further erosion by placing geo-bags. We hope the erosion can be brought under control quickly,” he said.