Silchar: Massive erosion, along the banks of the Barak river, triggered due to heavy rainfall since Thursday night has rendered at least 10 families homeless at Madarpur village in north Karimganj.With large stretches of land, including houses and trees having been swallowed by the Barak river, the affected families have moved to a relief camp at Madarpur ME School.While the villagers are spending sleepless nights at the camp, families living in areas which are close to the river bank have already started shifting their belongings to safer locations.North Karimganj MLA Jakaria Ahmed Panna, who visited the affected village on Saturday, interacted with the affected families and distributed relief materials, before inspecting the erosion-hit areas.Describing the situation as “alarming”, Panna said he had spoken to the circle officer and instructed the administration to provide immediate relief and assistance to the affected families.Meanwhile, severe erosion was reported near the historic Siddheshwar Kapilashram Shivbari in Katigorah, resulting in nearly 50 metres of land being washed away by the Barak river, including the temple’s toilet facility and parts of a bamboo grove.Katigorah MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, who visited the site, along with officials of the water resources department, directed the officials to take immediate temporary measures to prevent further erosion.Purkayastha said that while temporary steps have been taken to prevent further erosion, a permanent anti-erosion project will be undertaken later.
