Erosion Cuts Off Buribail, Borkhola as Barak River Swallows Last Remaining Road

Erosion in Buribail Part-2 under Borkhola constituency in Cachar, has taken a severe and alarming turn, with the Barak River engulfing the only remaining rural road that connected the area to the rest of the district. As the river continues to consume land at a rapid pace, over 5,000 residents now fear isolation, with no motorable route available for daily travel or emergency movement. Residents say the river has been eroding the banks for the past 20–25 years, but the present situation has reached a critical level as communication has now come to a complete standstill.

Over the years, the Barak has washed away vast stretches of land along with hundreds of homes, residents claim. The same road came under threat about a month ago, and a large portion has now collapsed into the river, disrupting movement for three surrounding villages. Students are among the worst affected, with daily commutes to schools and colleges becoming nearly impossible.

Locals allege that despite continuous erosion and repeated appeals, neither the government nor departmental authorities have responded adequately. They complain that no permanent preventive measure has been implemented so far.

One of the villagers stated, “Before the current erosion, there were two roads, completely taken away by the erosion of the Barak. The present road runs over patta land belonging to various people, but since this is the only way to commute, we try to maintain it ourselves. Now there is no road for even an ambulance to reach, nor even a three-wheeler auto. There are three villages, and more than 5,000 people walk on this road. Officers come and go, but there is no work. We have no expectations from our local MLA.”

Another senior citizen lamented, “This present erosion has happened in the last month. Before that, there had been erosion here, and nearly five hundred homes had been taken away by the river. Small kids cannot go to school on their own.”

Villagers allege that despite repeated appeals and years of riverbank destruction, no preventive or protective steps have been taken by the government or the concerned departments. They now demand immediate intervention, construction of protection embankments, and restoration of the road network before the situation turns irreversible.

The erosion continues as Buribail waits for action, with hope diminishing each day the river advances.