, June 29 -- As the monsoon arrives, the country's poorest district Kurigram is already grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis as flash floods and intense river erosion struck a double blow forcing hundreds of families from their homes.

Several major rivers crossing the district are causing the erosion, including the Brahmaputra, Dharla, Dudhkumar, Teesta and Kaljani, damaging homes, farmland, rural roads and trees daily.

According to locals, more than 500 families have already lost everything, even as they moved to safer areas.

The Water Development Board (WDB) said severe erosion is currently occurring at 36 points across a stretch of around 11.245 kilometres in the district.

Fear of further erosion has forced riverbank residen...