United News of Bangladesh

Intensifying climate change impacts are accelerating the Brahmaputra’s relentless erosion in Kurigram, deepening a decades-long crisis that has displaced thousands, wiped out vast stretches of land and pushed vulnerable communities into chronic uncertainty. For decades, the river has been steadily eating into its banks across the northern district, drastically altering its landscape and displacing hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom have rebuilt their homes multiple times only to lose them again. Originating in India’s Assam, the Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh through Narayanpur union of Nageshwari upazila and flows through Kurigram Sadar, Ulipur, Chilmari, Roumari and Char Rajibpur before reaching Bahadurabad in Jamalpur, where it becomes known as the Jamuna. A roughly 70-kilometre stretch from Narayanpur to Rajibpur has been experiencing continuous erosion since the 1950s, said locals. Large parts in unions in Nageshwari, Kurigram Sadar, Ulipur, Chilmari, Roumari and Rajibpur have been partially or completely eroded, displacing several lakh people and reshaping the district’s geography. The loss of agricultural land, educational institutions, religious establishments and other assets has dealt a severe blow to the local economy and social structure. To address the crisis, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has proposed a riverbank protection project worth around Tk 850 crore to protect the left bank of the Brahmaputra. The project aims to safeguard about 16.305 kilometres of vulnerable riverbanks across Ulipur, Roumari and Rajibpur upazilas. Planned for implementation from January 2026 to June 2029, it will cover areas including Saheber Alga, Habiganj Bazar, Namajer Char, Sonapur, Ghughumari and Sukher Bati in Ulipur; Phulua Charghat in Roumari; and Kodalkati, Hajipara and Char Neoyaji in Rajibpur. BWDB officials said the proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Water Resources after completing necessary surveys. It was forwarded to the Planning Commission on March 2 but is yet to receive final approval. Residents in erosion-hit areas say they are living in extreme hardship after losing their homes repeatedly. “I have built my house five times in my life, and each time it was taken by the river. I don’t know where to go now,” said Sharafat Ali, 56, from Saheber Alga in Ulipur. “The river has taken everything from me. I now live on someone else’s land with my children, and I fear the monsoon every year,” said Rahila Khatun from the same area. Zaidul Islam, a farmer from Phulua Char in Roumari, said he now works as a day labourer after losing 10 bighas of farmland to the river. “It is becoming impossible to survive after losing our homes again and again. If immediate steps are not taken, we will become completely homeless,” said Zarina Khatun from Char Rajibpur. Local representatives have urged the government to take urgent action, warning of a looming humanitarian disaster. “People have had to relocate five to six times. Without a sustainable embankment, a major humanitarian crisis is inevitable,” said Mozzaffar Hossain, chairman of Saheber Alga union in Ulipur. Representatives from Roumari and Rajibpur echoed similar concerns, stressing the need for immediate intervention to control erosion. Experts say the Brahmaputra’s unstable nature is a key factor behind the worsening situation. “The Brahmaputra is an extremely dynamic river. On average, it erodes about 50 metres of its banks each year, destroying homes, farmland and infrastructure. Over time, this is intensifying poverty and humanitarian challenges,” said Prof Shafiqul Islam Bebu, president of Kurigram District Char Development and Implementation Organisation. He also emphasised the need for regular dredging alongside embankment protection to maintain the river’s navigability. BWDB Executive Engineer Rakibul Hasan said a project proposal has been prepared after identifying vulnerable areas and that work would begin once approval is secured. Residents now hope the project will be approved and implemented without delay, offering protection from the relentless erosion and restoring some stability to life in the char areas. Although Bangladesh is responsible for less than 0.5 percent of global carbon emissions, it faces some of the gravest impacts of climate change. According to the World Bank, climate-related disasters could displace one in seven people in the country by 2050.

Expectations are running unusually high in the northern district of Kurigram, as residents look to the newly formed government for visible and sustainable solutions to the chronic problems of river erosion and unemployment that have shaped life in the area for decades. Bordering India and crisscrossed by rivers, Kurigram has long struggled with poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment in education, health care and communications. Locals say repeated promises and short-term projects have failed to deliver lasting change, leaving thousands trapped in a cycle of displacement and economic insecurity. At least 16 rivers, including the Brahmaputra River, Dharla River, Teesta River and Dudhkumar River, flow through the district. Every year, monsoon floods and erosion eat away homesteads, farmland, schools and roads, forcing hundreds of families to lose their land and relocate, often repeatedly. Residents say temporary embankments and piecemeal projects have done little to stem the damage. What they want now, they say, is a comprehensive and long-term river management plan involving permanent embankments, regular dredging and science-based river training. “River erosion destroys our lives every year. Every year we have to battle erosion to survive,” said Shajahan Ali of Baldi Para in Kurigram Sadar upazila, recalling how his family has been displaced multiple times by erosion. “We want a permanent solution.” Alongside erosion, the lack of employment opportunities has emerged as Kurigram’s most pressing social challenge. With few industries in the district, large numbers of educated and semi-educated youths migrate to Dhaka, Gazipur and Chattogram in search of work, often leaving families behind. “There is no work here,” said Raju Mia from Char Baraibari village under Bhogdanga union. “We don’t want to leave our families and go to big cities. We want jobs in our own district.” Sahinur Rahman, a young resident of Jhunkar Char in Jatrapur union, echoed the frustration. “I finished my studies, but there are no jobs. If there were factories here, we could work locally. Instead, we are forced to move to Dhaka.” Local development advocates argue that the situation can change if the government prioritises Kurigram in its development agenda. They are calling for the establishment of agro-based industries, food processing plants, cold storage facilities, and stronger support for small and medium enterprises, alongside skills development programmes for youths. PM Tarique urges market restraint ahead of Ramadan According to Khaja Sharif Uddin Ali Ahmed Rintu, senior vice-president of the Kurigram District Development and Implementation Council, around 1.65 million of the district’s nearly 2.3 million people live in poverty. “River erosion and decades of mismanagement have repeatedly stripped people of their homes and livelihoods,” he said. “Many NGOs have worked here in the name of poverty reduction, but the lives of ordinary people have not changed much. Proper implementation of development allocations is crucial if poverty is to be reduced.” Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, president of a local char development organisation, said balanced development is key to Kurigram’s future. “To bring neglected Kurigram forward, we must stop river erosion, improve living standards in char areas and create employment through industrialisation,” he said. “Only fair and equitable distribution of national development resources can ensure sustainable progress here.” For residents, the message to the new government is clear: move beyond paper plans and political promises to deliver real action on the ground. “If river erosion is controlled and jobs are created, Kurigram will change,” said one local elder. “People will finally be able to live with dignity, hope and stability.” As the new administration settles into office, the people of Kurigram wait to see whether this time their long-standing demands will finally translate into lasting change.

A housewife died from electrocution in Bhurungamari upazila of Kurigram district on Saturday morning. The deceased was identified as Zarina Begum, 40, wife of Safar Uddin of West Chat Gopalpur village under Bhurungamari upazila. Tilai Union Parishad Chairman Kamruzzaman said she got electrocuted when she touched the auto-rickshaw purchased by her neighbour Ariful Islam. The vehicle was left charging overnight. Woman dies from electrocution in Kushtia She was immediately taken to Bhurungamari Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared her dead. Al Helal Mahmud, officer-in-charge of Bhurungamari police station said police were sent to the scene. A UD case will be filed in this regard.

Army personnel seized tapentadol tablets, weed, cash, phones in Kurigram Sadar and Rajarhat upazila on Friday, in two separate special drives in association with the Department of Narcotics Control. According to the local army camp, the 72 Infantry Brigade of Rangpur region launched an operation on secret information at around 4 am in the Kathalbari area of Kurigram Sadar and seized 127 pieces of tapentadol tablets, 100 grams of weed, BDT 61340 in cash and two android phones while a drug dealer named Robiul Islam (30) managed to flee away. Clash over land dispute leaves 3 dead in Kurigram In another raid at around 2:30 am in the Madai Pathamn Para of Rajarhat upazila, the same team successfully arrested a drug dealer named Md. Mostafa (19) and seized 51 pieces of tapentadol tablets and one Infinix android phone. Major Shahriar Adnan of Kurigram Army Camp said that they were still trying to arrest the fugitive and the anti-drug and anti-extortion operations will be continued.

Amid the quiet greenery of Ulipur upazila in Kurigram, a humble tin-roofed building tells the rich tale of a fading folk heritage. What began as a modest initiative three decades ago has since blossomed into a treasured cultural haven, the Bhawaiya Museum, also known as the Kasim Uddin Folk Art Museum. Named after the legendary Bhawaiya singer Kachim Uddin, who first carried the melodies of North Bengal to the world stage, the museum stands today as a sanctuary of nearly 2,000 rare rural artefacts that once shaped the everyday lives of Bengali villagers. Each item whispers a story, echoing a simpler time now slipping from memory. Scorching heat disrupts life in Kurigram From ploughs and threshing benches to bamboo hats (topa), bull-driving sticks and winnowing trays, the collection offers an intimate glimpse into the heart of rural Bengal. Farming tools carved from wood, shoulder yokes known locally as bakuya, paddy carriers like kula and jhapi — all stand in silent testimony to a world slowly vanishing. Nestled among these are age-old fishing gear — barshi, darki, deru, palo, chak — along with baskets for storage such as khalai and jina. The museum also proudly showcases musical instruments tied deeply to the Bhawaiya tradition, including the sarinda, dhol, flute, dotara, and even wooden sandals, or khodoms, steeped in local heritage. At the centre of this vibrant effort is Bhupati Bhushan Barma, a retired teacher of Durgapur High School and a passionate Bhawaiya singer and researcher. Since 1993, he has devoted himself to collecting these artefacts, travelling far and wide, driven purely by personal commitment. His performances — both at home and abroad — have carried the soul of North Bengal’s music to distant lands, awakening new audiences to its haunting charm. “For me, these materials are not merely a collection. They carry our stories, our identity,” Bhupati shared. “We want people not only to enjoy the music, but to understand the realities behind it.” His vision is clear: reconnecting the younger generation with their roots, using music as a bridge between tradition and modern life. Heavy rain, floods cause extensive crop damage in Kurigram The museum stands as a tribute to Kachim Uddin, a pioneer who gave Bhawaiya its international presence. “We could not do much for him in his lifetime,” Bhupati reflected. “This museum is our humble offering in his name.” Yet amidst the pride and progress, an urgent concern looms. With limited space — a single room and a narrow veranda — many of the museum’s treasures lie exposed to the elements, slowly falling victim to decay. “We’re desperate for a multi-storied building,” Bhupati admitted, his voice heavy with concern. “But we simply do not have the financial means.”

A Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) member was killed and four others were injured after being struck by lightning while on patrol along the Kauniya Char-Khetarchar border in Darbhanga union of Roumari upazila, Kurigram early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Riyad Hossain, 32, a member of the 35 BGB Battalion’s Darbhanga Border Outpost (BOP) based in Jamalpur. The injured are Md Jasim, 52, Nadim, 28, Shahin, 28, and Ansar member Ferdous Hossain, 36. Officer-in-Charge of Roumari Police Station Md Lutfor Rahman said the BGB team was patrolling the border area when lightning struck them, killing one and injuring four others. One killed, 15 injured in clash between two groups in Brahmanbaria The injured were taken to different hospitals for treatment. Subedar Farid of Darbhanga BGB camp under the 35 Battalion said the lightning strike occurred during heavy rain while the team was on patrol along the Kauniya Char-Khetarchar border area. All five members sustained serious injuries. They were immediately rescued and taken to Rowmari Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared Riyad Hossain dead. Dr Nabiul Islam, the resident medical officer (RMO) at the health complex, said Riyad was brought in dead. Two of the injured BGB members, who were in critical condition, were referred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, while the others are being treated locally.

Two examinees of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) were killed in a road crash at Nirashir Patar in Takabpur union of Kurigram’s Ulipur upazila on Sunday afternoon, police said. The deceased were identified as Sourav Ali, 19, son of Abu Bakkar Siddique from Minabazar Dhekiaram in Pandul union, and Plabon Mia, 18, son of Bakiyat Ali. Both were students of Kurigram Collectorate School and College. According to the police, Sourav and Plabon were returning from Thanahat Bazar in neighbouring Chilmari upazila riding a motorcycle when a tractor ran them over from behind in the Battala area of Nirashir Patar. Two killed in Rajshahi road accident Sourav died on the spot, while Plabon was critically injured and taken to Ulipur Hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Zillur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ulipur Police Station, said that the bodies were recovered and legal proceedings are underway.

Sever cold disrupted daily life in Kurigram in the 2nd week of Bangla month ‘Magh’.   Subal Chandra Sarkar, officer-in-charge of Kurigram Agriculture Weather Observatory, said they recorded temperature at 12.6 degree Celsius at 9am on Thursday. He also said the temperature may drop further in the next two to three days. Dry weather with partly cloudy skies across Bangladesh: BMD The low-income people, especially those living at chars on the banks of rivers, children and senior citizens are the worst sufferers of the cold. People were seen to keep them warm by igniting straws. The sunlight wasn’t seen till 10am in the district while vehicles were operating with headlights on to ward off any unwanted incident.     Moreover, the fog has been spawning drizzle since early morning. Dhaka's air ‘very unhealthy’ on Monday morning Mukul Mia, a three-wheeler van driver in Dhara area of Kurigram Sadar, said the sun didn’t rise even after 1pm and movement of people was very thin. Locals alleged that they weren’t getting sufficient warm clothes from the government to keep them protected from the cold. District’s Relief and Rehabilitation Official Md Abdul Matin said they have so far distributed 34, 722 pieces of blankets in nine upazilas of the district. The distribution was underway considering the demand, he said.

Ferry services on the Chilmari-Roumari route in Kurigram have been suspended for 17 days since December 23 due to navigability problems in the Brahmaputra River. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Chilmari, Manager Prafulla Chauhan said, “Services will resume only after clearance from the BIWTA. However, no specific timeline has been provided.” Abdul Matin, who driver of a stone-laden truck from Bhurungamari's Sonahat land port, expressed frustration, saying, "I didn't know the ferry service was closed. I've been stranded here with my truck for the last three days, with no clarity on when operations will resume." Another driver, Zahidul Islam from Lalmonirhat, said, "I arrived only to find the ferry service suspended. Now I’ll have to take a longer route, which will increase my expenses." Roads and Highways Department starts eviction drive in Natore BIWTA Deputy Assistant Engineer Md Kamruzzaman said the navigability issue extends across six kilometres from Baldamara to Roumari Ghat. "The channel that previously facilitated the ferry route was disrupted after the embankment collapsed. We are currently dredging about 4,000 feet of the river. Unfortunately, floodwaters have refilled the dredged areas," he added.

The northern district of Kurigram has been experiencing several cold, causing immense suffering of people, especially low-income ones. Those living on chars and riverbanks are the worst sufferers as 16 rivers flow across the district. People were trying to keep themselves warm by igniting fire. Local met office recorded 12 degree Celsius temperature at 7 am on Wednesday, a fall of 3 degrees from Tuesday. Horse cart driver Sirajul Islam, a resident from Jatrapur union of Sadar upazila, said they have been experiencing severe cold for the past few days that’s hampering daily life. Read: Kurigram battles intense winter, poor desperate for warm clothing Farmer Saiful Islam from the Dharola union of the upazila said though they prepared the seedbeds for Boro, it was difficult to deal with cold water coupled with wind. Subal Chandra Sarkar, in-charge of agricultural weather office in Kurigram, said the temperature was fluctuating from 12 to 15 degree Celsius for the past two weeks. The district may experience cold waves after the middle of the month, he said, adding that the sun would not shine today.