The people of Kamararchar Union in Sherpur are in dire straits due to the erosion caused by the Brahmaputra River and its tributary, the Dashani River, in the past three days, the river has engulfed hundreds of homes, graveyards, mosques, and markets.
The erosion has led to many families losing their land and homes. The affected residents are demanding the construction of an embankment to solve this crisis.
The original channel of the Brahmaputra River flows through Char No 4 of Islampur Upazila in Jamalpur and then through Char No 6 of Kamararchar union in Sherpur Sadar upazila.
On the other hand, the Dashani River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows through Char No 7 of Kamararchar and merges with the Brahmaputra near Char No 6 Barabari.
The intense currents at the confluence of these two rivers have also caused severe erosion.
In the past three days, the Brahmaputra and Dashani Rivers have engulfed farmers' croplands, homes, and religious institutions. Along with the erosion, the floodwaters are also rising.
The char people, who primarily depend on vegetable farming for their livelihood, have seen their crops submerged.
Communication between Kamararchar Bazaar and Char No 6 and 7 has been completely cut off.
People are travelling to the market by boat, and electricity poles are submerged, posing a risk of severe accidents.
Selina Begum, a resident of Char No 6, said: "The river has swallowed everything we had. We had three acres of land, but now there's only water. In the past six years, our home has been swallowed by the river thrice. Now, we live in someone else's house, which the river is also taking away."
Another housewife, Majeda Begum, said they have not received government assistance after the erosion and flooding began. Having lost everything, they are struggling to have three meals a day.
Habibur Rahman, chairman of the Kamararchar Union Parishad, said that both the river erosion and floodwaters are increasing daily. Without constructing an embankment, Char No 6 and 7 will disappear into the river within a few years.
The areas affected by the Brahmaputra and Dashani Rivers erosion have been inspected by the Member of Parliament (MP) and the General Secretary of the District Awami League, Md Sanuwar Hossan Sanu.
He expressed sympathy to the affected people and provided financial assistance. He also assured that efforts would be made to construct an embankment.
Sherpur Water Development Board Executive Engineer Nakibuzzaman Khan said: "The erosion of the Brahmaputra cannot be stopped without constructing a permanent embankment. We are undertaking temporary and emergency measures to ensure the safety of the people. A feasibility study for an embankment has also been initiated."
MP Sanuwar Hossan Sanu said: "The people of the Char area are in great distress. We will approach the prime minister and the minister of Water Resources for the rapid construction of an embankment.
“We are with them. We hope to fulfil the long-standing demand of the people in this area,” he added.
