Riverbank Erosion Threatens Hundreds in Kurigram District
KURIGRAM, BANGLADESH – Hundreds of families in Kurigram district are facing displacement as severe riverbank erosion along the Brahmaputra River intensifies with the onset of the monsoon season. The erosion, primarily affecting Char areas – riverine islands – has already claimed significant portions of land, damaging homes, schools, and agricultural fields. Local authorities are scrambling to provide relief and explore long-term solutions to mitigate the crisis.
According to officials from the Kurigram District Administration, at least five villages – including Shimulbari, Boromari, and Mogalhat – are particularly vulnerable. Over the past week, the Brahmaputra has devoured approximately 200 acres of land, leaving many residents homeless. The river’s current is unusually strong this year, exacerbated by heavy rainfall both within Bangladesh and in upstream Indian states. This has resulted in a dramatic increase in the river’s water level and a corresponding acceleration of erosion.
“The situation is dire,” stated Abdul Halim, the Upazila Nirbahak Officer (UNO) of Chilmari Upazila, one of the worst affected areas. “We are working to identify the most vulnerable families and provide them with temporary shelter, food, and drinking water. However, the scale of the erosion is overwhelming our resources.”
Local residents express frustration and desperation. Many have lost their homes and livelihoods, and are now living in makeshift shelters along the riverbanks, exposed to the elements. Farmers have seen their crops washed away, jeopardizing their food security for the coming months. “We have lost everything,” said Rokeya Begum, a resident of Shimulbari village, whose home was swept away by the river last week. “We don’t know where we will go or how we will survive.”
The government has announced plans to distribute relief materials, including rice, lentils, and corrugated iron sheets for temporary shelter construction. The Water Development Board (WDB) is also undertaking some emergency riverbank protection measures, such as deploying geo-bags and constructing temporary embankments. However, experts argue that these are short-term fixes and a more comprehensive and sustainable approach is needed.
“The problem of riverbank erosion in Kurigram is not new,” explained Dr. Ainun Nishat, a water resources expert. “It’s a recurring phenomenon, driven by climate change, upstream water management practices, and a lack of long-term planning. We need to invest in large-scale riverbank protection infrastructure, such as permanent embankments and river training works. We also need to promote alternative livelihoods for the affected communities, so they are less dependent on agriculture in these vulnerable areas.”
Concerns are also growing about the potential for a humanitarian crisis if the erosion continues unabated. The displaced population is at risk of waterborne diseases and malnutrition. Furthermore, the loss of agricultural land could lead to food shortages and economic hardship. Local NGOs and international aid organizations are mobilizing resources to provide assistance, but they warn that much more support will be needed in the coming weeks and months. The district administration has appealed to the central government for increased funding and assistance to address the crisis. The situation remains critical, with the Brahmaputra River continuing to pose a significant threat to the lives and livelihoods of thousands in Kurigram district.