Teesta River swallows 300-meter road, disrupting lives of 2,000 families in Lalmonirhat

Nearly 300 meters of an unpaved road along the Teesta River in Lalmonirhat have disappeared into the river, leaving more than 2,000 families with no usable route for daily travel and transporting farm produce.

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We used to travel smoothly to our destinations by easy-bike using this road. Now that a section of the road has gone into the river, easy-bikes can no longer operate. We are now forced to travel on foot.

Residents of Char Harinchara, Paschim Harinchara, Majher Char and Adarshapara had used the road for years. Battery-powered easy-bikes, vans and other vehicles can no longer pass along the damaged section. Residents said strong currents caused the road to vanish over the past month. Although the erosion has eased, they fear it could return if the river rises.

People now travel on foot, while farmers carry their produce to and from local markets on their shoulders and heads. The extra time and labor have increased their transport costs and placed pressure on their livelihoods.

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Even in June, the Teesta was quite far from the road, and there was no fear of erosion. But in July, the strong current of the river began hitting the road. Within a month, nearly 300 metres of road disappeared into the river. The erosion has stopped somewhat for now, but it could resume if the water level rises.

“We used to travel smoothly to our destinations by easy-bike using this road. Now that a section of the road has gone into the river, easy-bikes can no longer operate. We are now forced to travel on foot,” said Mokbul Hossain, a 70-year-old farmer from Paschim Harinchara.

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We used to transport agricultural produce by van. But vans can no longer use the road because of the erosion. We now have to carry our produce on our shoulders and heads. This requires more time and labour.

The Water Development Board said it had tried to protect the road with sand-filled geo-bags, but the strong current swept away part of the route. Executive engineer Shunil Kumar said an initiative would be taken through the upazila parishad to repair the damaged 300-meter section once the water level receded. The board would also take measures to protect the road from further erosion, he said.

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We tried to protect the only road used by char residents by placing sand-filled geo-bags along the vulnerable section. But the strong current prevented us from saving part of the road.