At least 386 houses have been washed away by severe erosion along the Teesta River in five northern districts over the past seven days, leaving hundreds of families homeless.

The erosion has intensified at 113 points in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Kurigram, according to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB).

Ahsan Habib, superintending engineer of the BWDB Rangpur regional office, said the situation has worsened rapidly in recent days.

“Erosion has intensified at 113 points in the five districts while 386 houses have been washed away in the past seven days,” he said.

He said there was insufficient allocation for erosion-control measures and the matter has been brought to the ministry’s attention.

In Gaibandha’s Sundarganj upazila, erosion has taken a particularly heavy toll on people living along the riverbank in Kapasia Union.

In Singijani and Bhorer Pakhi areas, residents said the river current increased suddenly, causing sections of the riverbank to collapse one after another.

Many families could not save their furniture, rice, clothes and other belongings as their houses collapsed.

Shahidul Islam, a resident of the area, said the erosion was so rapid that people barely had time to move their belongings to safety.

Ahad Mia said families are now facing an uncertain future after losing their homes and land.

Sundarganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Iffat Jahan Tuli visited the affected areas and assured them of necessary assistance.

Gaibandha BWDB Executive Engineer Shariful Islam said geo-bags are being dumped at vulnerable points as an immediate measure.

“We are monitoring the situation and taking immediate preventive measures. Further steps will be taken based on the situation,” he said.

80 houses washed away in Kurigram

The erosion has also intensified in Kurigram’s Ulipur and Rajarhat upazilas, where around 80 houses have been washed away in the past week.

Families who have lost their homes are struggling to find safe places for themselves, their children and livestock.

In Lalmonirhat, all five upazilas have been affected by erosion.

BWDB Executive Engineer Sunil Roy said the intensity of erosion is increasing with fluctuations in the river’s water level.

Geo-textile materials have been placed at some vulnerable locations, he said but there was no allocation for permanent erosion-control work.

“As there is no allocation for permanent erosion-control work, there is little we can do beyond taking immediate measures,” he said.

Khuliagachh Union Parishad Chairman Khairuzzaman Badal said erosion is continuing almost every day.

 ‘We don’t want relief’

In Rangpur, 53 houses have been washed away in Pirgachha, Kaunia and Gangachara upazilas during the past seven days, said BWDB Executive Engineer Hafiz Uddin.

The affected people said they needed permanent protection rather than temporary relief.

In Nilphamari, hundreds of erosion-hit families are spending their days in open spaces, on embankments or in relatives’ yards.

Many families have no arrangements for cooking and food, while residents said tents and dry food were urgently needed.

Abdul Karim of Char Kharibari said the river has eroded the area six times in two years.

“I have lost two houses to the river. Now I don’t know where to go,” he said.

Atwar Rahman said authorities often took measures only after houses began to collapse, rather than taking permanent steps to protect riverbank communities.