Teesta river erosion collapses cross-dam in Kurigram's Rajarhat

A severe erosion incident caused by the strong currents of the Teesta River has resulted in the collapse of a cross-dam in the Burirhat area of Rajarhat upazila within the Kurigram district. According to local reports, the aggressive water flow led to approximately 40 meters of the crucial cross-dam washing away and disappearing directly into the riverbed.

The sudden and destructive collapse has triggered widespread concern across the local region, leaving at least six villages and their populations—numbering nearly 20,000 people—facing significant risks. In addition to the residential areas, five local markets in the upazila are now directly under threat from the advancing and unyielding river waters.

In response to the unfolding disaster at the Burirhat site, the Bangladesh Water Development Board, also referred to as Paubo, has stepped in to initiate emergency measures. Officials are currently deploying approximately 30,000 geo bags in an effort to stabilize the compromised structure and carry out vital maintenance work along the damaged section.

Despite the ongoing emergency intervention by the Water Development Board, local residents have voiced deep concerns regarding the recurring nature of the disaster. Nur Mohammad, a local community member, pointed out the cyclical destruction by stating that the dam suffers damage from river erosion every one to two years, after which temporary repairs are conducted using geo bags. He emphasized that the problem will persist unless a permanent solution is implemented to effectively prevent the erosion.

Echoing these sentiments about the necessity for long-term strategic intervention, another local resident named Mamun stressed the gravity of the regional crisis. Mamun stated that a permanent solution is urgently required to prevent erosion from the Teesta River, asserting that there is simply no alternative to implementing the Teesta master plan.