Bangladesh
River Erosion Ravages Northern Bangladesh: Hundreds Homeless as Teesta and Brahmaputra Devour Land
Severe river erosion has hit northern Bangladesh as floodwaters recede, with at least 60 points along the Teesta, Dharla, Brahmaputra, and Dudhkumar rivers collapsing across Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, and Nilphamari districts. Homes, croplands, and orchards are disappearing into the rivers, leaving hundreds homeless.
Kurigram has been the worst affected, particularly in Sadar, Nageshwari, Rajarhat, and Ulipur upazilas. In Jatrapur union’s Baniyapara village, nearly 50 families have lost their homes and farmland in just two days. “Over 100 bighas of land have already gone under water, and the erosion continues,” said Abdul Gafur, chairman of the Jatrapur Union Parishad.
The Water Development Board (WDB) reported that erosion has appeared at 12 points in Lalmonirhat, eight in Rangpur, six in Nilphamari, and 34 in Kurigram. Kurigram’s WDB Executive Engineer Rakibul Hasan said, “We need a large quantity of geo-bags to protect the banks, but funds are limited. Some emergency work is underway.”
In Lalmonirhat, the Teesta’s strong currents have swept away farmland and homesteads. “We’re moving our houses to safer places every day as the river keeps eating away our land,” said farmer Subhash Chandra Barman. Another farmer, Abed Ali, said more than 50 bighas of land and 10 homes were swallowed by the river in the past two days.
Lalmonirhat WDB Executive Engineer Sunil Kumar said, “The Teesta’s whirl currents are hitting the banks hard, and we’re preparing to place geo-bags in risky areas.”
Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Sifat Mehnaz said, “The sudden surge of upstream water caused rapid changes in the river flow, leading to erosion. Lists of affected families are being prepared, and they will receive emergency relief.”
As erosion intensifies, many riverside families have begun dismantling their homes and moving to higher ground. For them, the river that once sustained life is now taking it away.
Bangladesh’s Interim Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has reiterated that the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held in February. He made the assurance on Wednesday (October 15) during an emergency meeting of the National Consensus Commission with political party representatives at the State Guest House Jamuna.
“This is not just talk — the election will be held in February, and it will be festive,” Dr. Yunus said during the meeting.
The meeting focused on the implementation process of the July Charter, a policy document developed through extensive dialogue among political parties.
Thanking party representatives, Dr. Yunus said, “The July Charter is the outcome of your long discussions. It has become part of history.” He announced that copies of the Charter would be distributed to all political parties and vowed to preserve and promote it while he remains in office.
The Chief Adviser urged political parties to apply the Charter’s principles in their political practice and daily governance.
Earlier, the Commission had distributed the final version of the July National Charter 2025 to all political parties, though recommendations on how to implement the proposed reforms are yet to be finalized.
Following the July 2025 mass uprising, the interim government was formed and established six separate reform commissions — on the constitution, electoral system, public administration, anti-corruption, police, and judiciary. The National Consensus Commission continues to consult political parties based on these commissions’ recommendations.
Crime and Justice
Woman Attempts Suicide by Setting Herself on Fire in Jhenaidah, Husband Also Burned
A woman in Jhenaidah’s Shailkupa upazila attempted suicide by setting herself on fire, leaving both her and her husband severely injured. The incident occurred around midnight on Tuesday (14 October) in Charbakhurbar village.
Police and local sources said the woman, identified as 24-year-old Mahima Khatun, poured kerosene on herself before setting it ablaze. Her husband, Ashik Mia—son of Alok Mia—sustained burns while trying to save her.
The couple was rescued by locals and taken to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex. Later, due to their critical condition, they were transferred to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Dr. Shahnewaz, Medical Officer at Shailkupa Health Complex, said, “Both the husband and wife suffered burns on about 50 percent of their bodies. Their condition is critical.”
At least one person was killed and ten others were injured when a passenger bus plunged into a roadside ditch in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district on Wednesday morning.
The accident occurred around 11:30 a.m. at Purbo Sadordi area on the Faridpur-Barishal highway when a Dhaka-bound “Euro Line” bus lost control while attempting to overtake a “Shyamoli Paribahan” bus, police said.
The deceased was identified as Shamsunnahar Begum (41), wife of Nazrul Islam from Kachua village, Uzirpur upazila of Barishal.
Rescue teams from the fire service, highway police, and local residents rushed to the scene and took the injured to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex for treatment.
Bhanga Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Rokibuzzaman said that during an overtaking attempt, the Euro Line bus was hit by the Shyamoli Paribahan bus, causing it to veer off the road. “Both buses have been recovered, and the Shyamoli Paribahan bus has been seized,” the OC added.
Traffic on both sides of the highway remained halted for a while following the incident but later resumed normally.
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