Khulna: Riverbank erosion has turned worse at Nalian point of the Shibsa River in Dakop upazila as a large area has gone into its gorge, leaving around 2661 people homeless.

Those who have lost their homesteads and valuables to the riverbank erosion are now leading a subhuman life for lack of shelter, food and other basic supplies.

During a visit to Nalian area, the UNB correspondent found that the river has already engulfed most parts of its banks at the point while new areas are going into its gorge.

The poor people living in the vicinity of the river, mostly fishermen, have no proper home to live in as all of their property has been washed away by the river.

The local union parishad, meanwhile, has enlisted 2661 people who have lost everything in the area due to the riverbank erosion.

The victims alleged that the government is yet to take any step to ease their sufferings.

In 2009, many people of Nalian migrated to elsewhere due to Cyclone Aila and regular river erosion embracing an uncertain future.

The victims said they have no access to education, electricity, medical treatment, clean water and proper sanitation facilities as they have to move from one place to another at least twice a year due to the non-stop rive erosion.

Local people attributed part of the riverbank erosion to widespread unsystematic and illegal sand extraction from different rivers—Shibsa, Dhaki, Jhapjhapia, Chunkuri, Poshur and Bhadra—in the district.

This sand extraction done by some local miscreants have led to the destruction of many embankments causing floods to various areas and prompting the Shibsa River to get turbulent in Nalian area adversely affecting locals.

Contacted, Mrinal Kanti De, Dakop upazila UNO, told UNB, ‘I’ve taken actions against the miscreants involved in sand extraction. Six big pipes were seized earlier. If anyone still continues to extract sand illegally from the river, I will take tougher action against them.’