Every year the locals of Bandarban live in fear due to floods and canal erosion. Because in last five years, several families have lost their houses due to heavy erosion. So far this year, Nurul Alam, Mahabub Alam, Abu Taher and many other families have become destitute after losing their houses in the pine Chhara canal.
About three hundred families live in Bharakhali villagein Sadar upazila of Bandarban district.
During the on-site inspection, it was seen that at least twenty families are at extreme risk of erosion of Pine Chhara canal, including the mosque-madrasa, Bandarban Ideal School, the houses given by the Prime Minister, the main road adjacent to the canal.
In this regard, Abul Kalam, Member Ward No. 4 of the concerned Union and Mr. Sanu Pru Marma, UP Chairman said that after making many petitions in different places to protect Bharakhali village from the erosion of canal, authorities still has not taken appropriate action. At least three to four families lose their homes in the Pine Chhara canal every year
In this regard, Yasin Arafat, Executive Engineer, Bandarban Hill District Water Development Board, said that after surveying the river erosion affected areas of Bandarban District, project proposals for Bharakhali, Goaliakhola, Remakri, Madak and Kabiraj Para were sent to the Ministry of Water Resources. Out of those five projects, except for two projects in Bharakhali and Gowaliakhola areas, the remaining three projects were approved. He said the secretary of the water resources ministry said the Bharakhali and Gowalikhola projects would be considered during project approval next year.
A team from the Water Development Board is conducting a study in the area affected by river erosion in the Bandarban Hill District. He said that Bharakhali and Gowaliakhola, two river erosion prone areas, would also be included in the study group.
