Dharla erosion threatens rail station, market, BGB camp

With the monsoon underway, the Dharla river has grown violent in Kulaghat-Mogholhat union of Lalmonirhat sadar upazila.

In the last three days, the river has devoured several croplands of the area, creating panic among the locals.

Water level in the river is also increasing constantly. The river gets more violent at night forcing people to spend sleepless nights on its banks. Hundreds of homesteads, including educational institutions, are now under threat of being eroded.

Water Development Board officials said that Itapota flood control embankment, Shiberkuti Market, BGB Camp, Mogholhat Bazar, Mogholhat Railway Station, Lalmonirhat-Mogholhat regional highway could soon be devoured by the river.

Meanwhile, a culvert collapsed in Wapda Bazar area of Kulaghat union few days ago. The authority is yet to normalise transportation system on the road. As a result, commuters are risking their lives to cross the area by boat.

A resident of the area said he had to transfer his house six times because of river erosion. This year, his homestead is also under threat of disappearing into the river. But he is yet to receive any relief material from the government.

He urged the authorities to take effective steps to check river erosion.

Lalmonirhat Water Development Board executive engineer Ariful Islam said the area experienced widespread erosion because of increased water flow in the Dharla river.

An application seeking a fresh project during crisis period has been sent to the higher authorities, he added.