OUR CORRESPONDENT, Mymensingh

The erosion of the Brahmaputra River has intensified recently in Char Pakshimari union under Sherpur Sadar upazila, leaving several hundred people homeless.

The erosion has become particularly severe in Bagolgarh, Kulurchar, Bepaipara, Batpara, and Dhakpara areas. In Bagolgarh village alone, around 30 families have been rendered homeless overnight.

Many victims have taken shelter in relatives’ or neighbours’ homes, while others are struggling to rebuild their shelters elsewhere, said Pori Begum, a member of the union parishad.

Khokhi Begum, 60, of Bagolgarh village, said she now lives in a neighbour’s house after losing her homestead in the recent spate of erosion. “The Brahmaputra devoured my home right before my eyes.”

Monto Mia, 50, a share-cropper from the village, said he has lost everything and has been forced to relocate with his two children.

Hundreds of families in the area are now living in fear of further erosion.

Victims said they have appealed to the deputy commissioner of Sherpur for support and to the authorities of the Water Development Board for immediate measures to strengthen riverbank protection.

BWDB officials have started dumping geo-bags along a 130-metre stretch of the riverbank in the erosion-hit areas. Geo-tubes will also be deployed to further enhance protection against erosion, said Akhinuzzaman, executive engineer of BWDB in Sherpur.

Due to river dredging followed by recent flash floods, the erosion has taken a serious turn in different areas of Sherpur, including Narayankhola, Kamarerchar, and Char Pakshimari, he added.

“We have also informed the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority about the erosion and sought their financial assistance to contain it. They have agreed to our proposal and official work has begun,” the official confirmed.

“We have a plan for a project to build a permanent embankment along the riverbank in the affected areas.”