Silchar: Severe erosion along the Barak river has forced several families in Santoshnagar Colony at Panchgram in Hailakandi district to leave their homes with their belongings, as the river continues to eat into its bank and inch closer to the settlement.Residents said erosion has intensified over the past few days, triggering panic in the locality. At some points, the river has come within nearly 100 metres of residential areas, they claimed.The colony is home to more than 500 people, with houses spread across four to five rows. Most residents are economically disadvantaged daily-wage earners and fear losing their homes if the erosion continues, sources said.Several families living close to the vulnerable stretch have already shifted their belongings and moved out as a precaution, residents said.Locals alleged that no effective anti-erosion measures had been taken despite repeated appeals. They demanded immediate scientific riverbank protection work, saying temporary measures would not be sufficient to protect the settlement.“The river is getting closer to our homes. Unless protection work is taken up immediately, many families could lose everything,” a resident said.“The river is getting closer to our homes. Unless protection work is taken up immediately, many families could lose everything,” a resident said.Following concerns raised by residents, a team of the Hailakandi water resources department, led by a sub-divisional officer, visited the affected area on Monday to assess the situation.However, the official told residents that the affected stretch falls under the department’s Katigorah division in Cachar district. He said the Katigorah authorities had been informed and requested to take necessary measures.Residents urged the authorities to begin protection work without delay, fearing that further erosion could threaten more houses and displace additional families.Residents urged the authorities to begin protection work immediately, warning that further erosion could damage more houses and displace additional families.
