Erosion in Buribail Part-2 under the Borkhola constituency in Cachar has taken a dangerous and alarming turn, with the Barak River swallowing the only remaining rural road that connected the village to the rest of the district. As the river continues to consume land at a rapid pace, more than 5,000 residents now face total isolation, with no motorable route available for daily travel or emergency needs.
Locals say the Barak River has been eroding its banks for the past 20–25 years, but this year’s destruction has pushed the situation into a state of complete collapse. With the route now gone, communication with nearby areas has effectively stopped.
Over the years, the river has washed away large stretches of land, including hundreds of homes, villagers claim. The same road faced threats a month ago, finally gave way and slid into the river, leaving three surrounding villages disconnected. Students are suffering the most, as travelling to schools or colleges has become nearly impossible.
Residents allege that despite continuous erosion and repeated appeals, authorities have failed to take permanent action. They say no protective measures or erosion-control steps have been implemented so far.
One villager said, “Before this erosion, two roads connected us, but both were taken away by the Barak. The present road runs over patta land belonging to various families. Since this was our only route, we tried to maintain it ourselves. Now not even an ambulance or three-wheeler can reach us. More than 5,000 people depend on this road. Officers come and go, but nothing changes.”
A senior citizen added, “This most recent erosion happened just last month. Earlier, nearly five hundred houses had already been lost to the river. Now even small children cannot go to school.”
Villagers claim that despite years of suffering, neither the government nor the concerned departments have taken preventive steps. They now demand urgent intervention, construction of protective embankments, and restoration of the damaged road network before the situation becomes irreversible.
Buribail continues to wait for action, with hope fading as the Barak River advances each day.