6 days ago
Homes Swallowed as Hooghly Erosion Strikes Nadia Village
On Wednesday night, heavy rain caused a riverbank in Nadia to collapse.
The damaged bank was beside the Hooghly River in Shrirampur village.
About 300 metres of land disappeared very quickly.
At least 12 houses belonging to 10 families fell into the river.
Residents escaped but lost belongings and important documents.
A pregnant woman was moved to safety just before her house collapsed.
Villagers said the area suffers from erosion every year and needs stronger protection.
Officials said the families would receive new homes and that protection work would begin.
At least 12 houses belonging to 10 families collapsed into the Hooghly River on Wednesday night.
The erosion began around 8pm during heavy rain and rapidly tore through nearly 300 metres of riverbank.
Residents fled with little more than their lives, leaving behind household goods and important documents.
Villagers said annual erosion and temporary sandbag measures have failed to provide lasting protection.
Officials promised new homes, rehabilitation and riverbank protection work for the affected families.
- Who
- At least 10 families in Shrirampur village lost their homes; local officials and a panchayat samiti leader promised assistance.
- What
- A sudden riverbank erosion destroyed at least 12 houses and other structures.
- Where
- Shrirampur village under Gayeshpur gram panchayat in Santipur block, Nadia district, West Bengal.
- When
- Wednesday night, beginning around 8pm, during heavy rain.
- Why
- Heavy rain preceded the erosion; residents also attributed the damage to inadequate permanent riverbank protection.
Residents’ Concerns
Officials’ Response
Riverbank protection
Residents’ Concerns
Villagers said erosion is an annual problem and that minor measures such as sandbags under bamboo structures do not work; they called for permanent protection.
Officials’ Response
Santipur’s block development officer said protection work would be undertaken in consultation with the irrigation department.
Responsibility and relief
Residents’ Concerns
Residents said the absence of sustained protective work left them vulnerable and caused the loss of homes and documents.
Officials’ Response
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Chanchal Chakraborty promised new houses and jobs, while alleging that funds for earlier protective work had been looted during the Trinamool Congress regime.
Key facts
- Affected families
- 10 families
- Houses destroyed
- At least 12
- Erosion length
- Nearly 300 metres of riverbank
- Start time
- Around 8pm on Wednesday
- Immediate impact
- Homes, trees, household items and identity and land documents were lost
- Promised assistance
- New houses, rehabilitation and riverbank protection work
- Location
- Shrirampur village, Nadia district
Quotes
Jogmaya Mridanga
A homemaker and resident of Shrirampur village
“The erosion was so rapid that we failed to save even a piece of paper, including voter cards, ration cards and Aadhaar cards. Whatever we had is lost forever. Permanent protective work could have saved us, but that never happened.”
telegraphindia.com
“The erosion started suddenly around 8pm. First, we were alerted by the falling of a tree on the riverbank. Then, the erosion tore into 300 metres inland so fast that we could not save anything.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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