Padma River erosion destroyed 10 houses and a temple in Radhakrishnapur village in Murshidabad within hours on Sunday night, forcing at least 20 more families to dismantle their homes and move their belongings to safer locations.
The erosion began on Sunday afternoon in the village under Raghunathganj police station and had reportedly advanced nearly 200 metres inland by around 10pm. The speed of the riverbank collapse left residents with little time to salvage furniture, household goods and other possessions.
Several displaced families spent the night at Kalinagar Primary School, while others searched for safe ground for their families, livestock and movable property. The administration has also arranged shelter at the Sekalipur flood shelter, where dry food and cooking equipment have been provided, according to Raghunathganj-II block development officer Shubhmoy Majhi.
Among those who lost their homes was farmer Subal Singh, whose four-room pucca house was the last major asset left after the river consumed his farmland and orchards over the past two years. Singh and seven members of his family took shelter at the primary school.
“I worked hard to build my house, which drowned before my eyes yesterday (Sunday). I can’t bear it anymore. Last year, I lost around 12 bighas. This time, I lost everything. I am now forced to take shelter at the primary school,” Singh said.
Residents said they had warned the administration about the threat. Taibur Sheikh, a primary school teacher from the village, said residents submitted a memorandum to the Murshidabad district magistrate on September 9 seeking protection. He said villagers had been assured that the riverbank would be permanently repaired after the flood, but claimed that the village was now at risk of disappearing.
The latest erosion has also renewed concern in neighbouring Taranagar village under Lalgola police station, where extensive riverbank erosion occurred last year. The irrigation department subsequently carried out erosion-prevention work estimated at around ₹7.5 crore. Residents alleged that a substantial portion of the work was washed away during the latest episode, leaving the remaining stretch vulnerable.
“Due to poor execution of protective work, river banks failed to sustain minor water pressure. Almost half of the original work was washed away in one night. The Padma has now advanced closer to our houses, triggering panic,” Taranagar resident Mokhlesur Rahman said.
Many villagers in the affected areas began dismantling vulnerable houses so they could move to safer locations with whatever property they could save. The destruction has turned riverbank protection into an immediate housing and displacement issue, with families needing shelter for people, livestock and household possessions at short notice.
Raghunathganj MLA and Assembly Opposition chief whip Akhruzzaman said the district administration had submitted a proposal to the irrigation department for permanent riverbank protection and appealed to chief minister Suvendu Adhikari. Civil defence personnel have been deployed in vulnerable areas, while irrigation department officials are monitoring developments, Majhi said.
