Thousands Destitute as River Erosion Ravages Nageshwari

As floodwaters from heavy upstream rainfall begin to recede, severe river erosion has gripped Kurigram’s Nageshwari upazila. The Dudhkumar, Brahmaputra, Sankosh, and Gangadhar rivers are devouring homesteads, croplands, orchards, and vital infrastructure, leaving thousands of riverside families destitute.

While the Water Development Board (WDB) states it is actively placing geobags in critical areas, affected locals allege the response is inadequate and comes too late.

Erosion is currently most devastating along the Dudhkumar and Brahmaputra rivers, specifically hitting the Bamandanga, Raiganj, Nunkhawa, and Narayanpur unions. In the Char Dhaurarkuti Hazirmor area of Raiganj, the Dudhkumar River swallowed at least 50 homes in just one week. While some residents managed to dismantle and relocate their houses in time, many others lost everything.

Locals expressed deep frustration over the lack of preventive measures during the dry season. Ataur Rahman Apel, a local resident, reported that 35 homes, along with betel nut orchards and croplands, were destroyed overnight in his area. Newly built sluice gates, roads, mosques, and madrasas remain under imminent threat.

For many, the situation is desperate. Majiron Begum, a widow from Mollarvita, fears her makeshift home beside the road will be the next to vanish. "I spend sleepless nights terrified the river will take my last refuge," she said.

Another resident, Achma Begum, barely managed to move her shelter before the land collapsed beneath it. Shahalam Mia of Char Luchani, displaced multiple times by the Dudhkumar's shifting banks, stated he has now lost all his land and is completely destitute. Without urgent intervention, residents warn that mass displacement is inevitable.

Addressing the crisis, Rakibul Hasan, Executive Engineer of the Kurigram WDB, confirmed that erosion is active at 36 different points across the region's rivers. "We are working to prevent further damage by placing geobags in the most vulnerable areas," he stated.