Erosion by the Tista River has turned severe in Kapasia union, Sundarganj upazila, Gaibandha. The intensity of the erosion has increased over the past week amid hill-runoff floodwater and rising river levels.
Erosion suddenly began in the Tista River in the Bhorer Pakhi, Singijani and Lalchamar neighborhoods of Lalchamar mouza in Kapasia union around midnight Wednesday (Sept. 9). Within moments, the homes of more than 150 families were swallowed by the river. Many families survived with only the clothes on their backs, unable to save furniture, clothing, food supplies or livestock.
The homesteads of 83 more families have since been completely swept away. Over 200 more families remain under threat from the erosion.
A field visit found the riverbank collapsing vertically by five to ten feet across a wide area spanning Tarapur, Belka, Haripur, Chandipur, Sreepur and Kapasia unions. Around 300 homes and more than 2,000 hectares of farmland, crop fields and rural roads have already been lost. Bhorer Pakhi Government Primary School has been swallowed by the river, raising the possibility that students’ education will be disrupted. Families affected by the erosion are still living in dire conditions.
Kapasia Union Parishad Chairman Manju Mia said, “The people of my union are in extreme panic over the river erosion. They can’t sleep at night, not knowing when their home will be swept into the river.”
Upazila Executive Officer Iffat Jahan Tuli and Upazila Project Implementation Officer Mashiar Rahman have visited the erosion-affected area.
The upazila administration has immediately distributed some dry food, though it is inadequate relative to the need.
Gaibandha District Water Development Board Executive Engineer Shariful Islam said, “Geotextile bags are being placed at vulnerable spots on an emergency basis.”