Rakima Khatun, an 80-year-old woman from Kochpara in Ward 8 of Chakaria municipality in Cox’s Bazar, has lost everything to erosion along the Matamuhuri River, including her home, furniture, clothes, documents and years of savings.
Broken tin roofing and concrete pillars now lie tilted towards the river, whose current flows where her house stood just months ago. Like Rakima, many families have lost their homesteads and face an uncertain future.
Residents said erosion intensified at several points along the river after prolonged rainfall, strong flows from upstream hills, and changes in its course.
Inadequate bank protection had compounded the problem, putting homes, farmland and livelihoods at risk. They have called for permanent protection and effective river management.
Nurul Islam, executive engineer of the Cox’s Bazar Water Development Board, said strong currents from upstream and hilly areas put pressure on the banks.
Heavy rainfall raises river levels, and as water recedes, the soil loosens, increasing the risk of erosion.
He said the previous floods had caused extensive erosion in Chakaria. Vulnerable areas must be identified and permanent protection built quickly, he said, as emergency repairs alone would cause similar damage every monsoon.
Dipak Sharma Dipu, president of the Cox’s Bazar Forest and Environment Conservation Council, said the damage threatened homes, farmland and livelihoods.
Rakima recalled the night the river swept her home away.
‘I have seen many floods in my life, but I had never seen the river take away a house like this. The water kept rising at night, and suddenly the erosion began. I could not move anything. Everything disappeared into the river before my eyes,’ she said.
Chenuara Begum, another resident, said she realised erosion was under way only when people began shouting at night. ‘If we had received a warning beforehand, the damage would not have been so severe. Now we do not even have a place to shelter ourselves,’ she said.
Resident Bashir Ahmed said people once relied on experience to anticipate changes in the river, but now it is hard to predict when hill water will surge. He said regular warnings from the municipality could help residents prepare.
Md Abdul Hannan, an assistant meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office, said intense rainfall over a short period, combined with hill runoff, could raise river levels rapidly, increasing the risk of flash floods and erosion.
He advised people to follow forecasts, information from the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, and local alerts.
Shahin Delwar, Chakaria upazila nirbahi officer, said lists of affected families had been prepared and government assistance provided in phases, while initiatives were under way with relevant departments to find long-term solutions.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan urged riverbank residents to follow forecasts, flood warnings and administration instructions.
By Tarekur Rahman
Photo: Tarekur Rahman
