Mohammad Ali Sanu, Dimla (Nilphamari)  

A human chain was organized in Purbo Baishpukur village of Dimla upazila, Nilphamari on Monday  demanding urgent action to stop the devastating erosion of the Teesta River. 

Locals alleged that the river has swallowed generations of ancestral land, and what little remains is now on the verge of disappearing. The increasing intensity of erosion has even put the embankment built by Engineer Shahrin Islam Tuhin, nephew of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, at serious risk.

Residents warned that if the embankment collapses, thousands of homes, homesteads, livestock, and places of worship in Purbo Baishpukur, Chatunama, Bhendabari, and nearby villages will vanish into the river. This would force affected families into extreme poverty, homelessness, and even begging for survival.

The erosion site was inspected by Dimla Upazila BNP President Principal Monowar Hossain, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Naib-e-Ameer of Dimla Upazila Prof Kazi Habibur Rahman, UP Chairman Shahiduzzaman Sarkar, along with local leaders and dignitaries from both political parties.

Following the inspection, they held a discussion with Amitabh Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of the Dalia Water Development Board, urging immediate action. The Executive Engineer stated, “I have already forwarded the matter to the higher authorities. Work will begin promptly once funds are allocated.”

However, locals expressed frustration, saying that despite numerous visits from officials in the past, no effective steps have been taken to stop the erosion. They strongly demanded the urgent construction of a permanent embankment to save their land and livelihoods.