Landslide in India Sends Thousands of Uprooted Trees Floating Through Dudhkumar River

Staff Reporter | PNN:
Due to heavy rainfall and a possible landslide, thousands of uprooted trees from India have floated into Bangladesh through the Dudhkumar River in Bhurungamari Upazila, Kurigram. The massive influx of trees occurred from Sunday afternoon (October 5) to Monday afternoon, passing through Shilkhuri Union of the upazila.

Locals believe that heavy rainfall in India caused trees from hilly forest areas to be uprooted and carried downstream by the river.

According to local sources, hundreds of people from Shilkhuri Union in Bhurungamari Upazila, Islampur in Char Bhurungamari Union, and Pateshwari in Paikarchar Union have been collecting the floating trees along the Dudhkumar River banks.

Rafiqul, a resident of Islampur in Char Bhurungamari Union, said that after Sunday afternoon until midnight, people went into the river to collect the trees. However, many trees floated away downstream. Most of the recovered trees can be used as fuelwood.

Local resident Mozzammel Haque mentioned, “Probably a landslide occurred in India, and the trees floated from there.” He added that while trying to collect trees with a boat, a large tree damaged the propeller of his diesel-engine boat.

Another local, Nur Mohammad, said that about 30 years ago, trees had floated from the upper reaches in a similar way, but never in such large quantities. He also noted that various species of snakes were seen floating along with the trees.

Yusuf Ali, former chairman of Shilkhuri Union, said, “Only trees are visible in large numbers. People are collecting them by rowing boats. It’s not clear exactly where the trees came from, but it’s obvious they came from India.”