HOOGHLY RIVER SWALLOWS A DOZEN HOUSES IN NADIA VILLAGE AFTER SUDDEN BANK EROSION

September 25, 2026

NADIA: At least a dozen houses belonging to 10 families were swept into the Hooghly river after sudden and severe bank erosion struck Shrirampur village in Nadia’s Santipur block on Wednesday night. The erosion began around 8pm amid heavy rain and rapidly tore through nearly 300 metres of the riverbank.

Residents were caught off guard as pucca and mud houses, trees and other structures collapsed within minutes. Villagers rushed to safety, leaving behind furniture, books and important documents including land records, voter cards, ration cards and Aadhaar cards. A pregnant woman was evacuated from a collapsing house moments before it fell into the river.

Residents said riverbank erosion has been an annual problem in the area and alleged that temporary measures such as sandbags placed around bamboo structures have failed to provide lasting protection. They have called for permanent measures to prevent further erosion and displacement.

Santipur BDO Sabyasachi Roy visited the affected families and said the victims would be rehabilitated with new houses. He also said riverbank protection work would be undertaken in consultation with the irrigation department. Local BJP leader Chanchal Chakraborty said affected families would receive houses under the PM Awas scheme and that employment assistance would also be arranged.

The latest incident has again highlighted the recurring threat of riverbank erosion across parts of southern Bengal, particularly in Nadia, Murshidabad and Malda, where vulnerable settlements remain exposed to sudden changes in river channels and heavy rainfall.