Heavy rainfall and the rush of water from upstream have caused severe flooding in Gharialdanga Union of Rajarhat Upazila, Kurigram. Within a single day, 16 houses and 4 mosques were washed away by the surging Teesta River.
As the water level continues to rise rapidly, around 700 families—nearly 3,000 people—from four riverside villages have become waterlogged. The strong current has also swallowed nearly five acres of cropland, while many fields of early-ripening rice are now at risk of destruction.
A visit to the area revealed that heavy rain in the upstream region over the past three days and the opening of the Teesta Barrage gates have led to a sudden surge of water entering localities. Floodwaters have now engulfed Khitabkha, Char Nakhenda, Sarishabari, and Majher Char villages in Gharialdanga Union, creating a flood-like situation. Meanwhile, severe riverbank erosion has begun at Majher Char village, where about five acres of farmland have already disappeared into the river. More than 200 houses and hundreds of bighas of cropland are under serious threat.
Khorshed Ali of Majher Char said that when the water started rising abruptly at midnight, panic spread among the residents. Many rushed out of their homes to help those whose houses were being washed away. “It’s very difficult to save our homes because everything around us is underwater. People are moving their belongings to higher ground wherever possible. Those who can afford it are renting boats to move to safer villages,” he said.
Around 12:30 p.m., Rozina, wife of Asruddin from the same village, was preparing to cook rice and pumpkin leaves after managing to clean the soaked grains. “The water started rising around 3 a.m. We couldn’t cook since last night. I’m cooking now at noon. We’re surrounded by water, suffering from food and drinking water shortages. There’s no shelter center in our village, so we have nowhere to go,” she lamented.
Nearby, Sabina’s home has been partially submerged. With her two children and mother, she has taken refuge on the bed. “Water entered our house last night. Cooking has become impossible. We’re struggling with our cattle, goats, ducks, and children,” she said.
Another villager, Sahizul, son of Osman, added, “We’ve been stuck in floodwater since yesterday. Everything is submerged. No one—neither the chairman nor the members—has come to check on us.”
Former union council member Shahidul Islam stated that around 700 families across four villages of the union are trapped by floodwaters and facing severe hardship. “Sixteen houses have already been devoured by the river. Entire families are now helpless,” he said, adding that 200 houses in Khitabkha, 200 in Char Nakhenda, 50 in Sarishabari, and 250 in Majher Char are waterlogged.
The houses lost to erosion include those of Sahizul (son of Osman), Salam (son of Salman), Mostak (son of Haydar Munshi), Borhan (son of Taslim), Mokaddes and Kudus (sons of Nurul), Khorshed (son of Bhuttu), Ohizul (son of Hamidar), Zainal Teli (son of Shutku), Jahurul (son of Mohubbor), Taizul (son of Jahurul), Al-Amin (son of Habil), and Abiruddin (son of Ansar Teli), among others. Additionally, three mosques have already collapsed into the river, and one more is on the verge of being washed away.
Rajarhat UNO Md. Al Imran said, “Due to the recent rise in Teesta’s water level, several low-lying char areas have gone underwater. We have boats on standby and over 800 relief packets stored. If the situation worsens, we’re ready to provide immediate assistance. We’re monitoring the situation closely and have informed the Water Development Board about the ongoing erosion.”
