Dhaka, October 3 – Unpredictable and intense riverbank erosion has worsened dramatically in Par Bishnupur village, located in Kalia upazila of Narail district, causing several commercial buildings to vanish overnight and placing local merchants and agricultural families in a state of emergency.
As per local reports, at least 10 shops in Par Bishnupur Bazar, located along the Nabaganga River, tumbled into the water within one night.
Trees at the market's boundary were also removed.
The sudden collapse has left business owners confused, while families reliant on farming are experiencing severe difficulties.
The chaotic situation of battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka: A crackdown or a compromise?
Dilruba, a proprietor of a tea stall, expressed her sorrow, "As a woman, I have been managing this tea shop for many years to provide for my family. Now that the shop has been swept away by the river, I have no source of income. Each day, I worry about how to feed my children."
Abdul Quddus, who ran a store selling groceries, tea, and beauty products, stated, "I've lost everything all at once. The shop was my sole means of income. Now that everything has been swept away, I'm stranded on the streets with my family. I don't know where to go or what to do."
Local inhabitant Shariful Sheikh mentioned that riverbank erosion is a frequent issue in the region, but the damage this year has been without precedent.
"Each year, erosion occurs here, but I never expected it to be this intense. The entire market vanished overnight. If a permanent barrier isn't constructed, the entire region will be swallowed by the river," he stated.
A surge of anthrax cases is reported in Rangpur, raising worries across northern regions
Another supermarket owner, Nazrul Sheikh, voiced his sorrow, "The income from the shop was sufficient to support my family. Now, with it lost, we are left in poverty. Without compensation or assistance, we have no means of survival."
Atiar Mina, a tea stall owner, stated, "It was a modest shop, yet it was essential for our family's survival. The river took it away. Now, there's no employment, and we're facing daily hunger. If the government doesn't provide immediate assistance, we'll have no choice but to reside on the streets."
The former head of Purulia Union Parishad, Abu Bakar Siddique, expressed concerns about the wider consequences, stating, "If the market collapses in this manner, the whole economy of the region will fall apart. It's not just the market that's in danger, but also roads, mosques, schools, and numerous significant buildings. Without the government promptly building a permanent embankment, Par Bishnupur Bazar may soon disappear from the map."
Residents of Feni witness in despair as land degradation consumes their dwellings
In response to the emergency, Abhijit Kumar Saha, Executive Engineer at the Water Development Board, stated, "As soon as we learned about the erosion at Par Bishnupur Bazar in Purulia Union, we sent officials from our office. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. Meetings have already taken place with senior officials, and we will implement actions as soon as possible to stop additional erosion."
Posting Komentar