RAJSHAHI, Oct 8: A tin-made boat, locally called Dunga, is the only option for the people of 11 chars of the Padma River in Bagha Upazila of the district for communication.
Taking drowning risk, people of these chars are making their communications from one char to another.
These 11 chars are located at Chakrajapur Union in the upazila, having about 3,500 families.
More than 100 flood-affected families of low areas in these chars have taken shelter on raised grounds.
Agriculture is the main source of income and living for the people of char-dwellers.
At present, people are doing their daily works with Dunga. One Liton of Nich Polashifatepur Char was seen going to one char from another with his goat.
On Sunday at 10am, he said, "I went to Polashfatepur Bazar with my sick goat for treatment. After receiving treatment, I am going back home with Dunga."
No. 2 Ward Member of Chakrajapur Union Abdur Rahman said, "In a week gap, Atarpara Government Primary School at my ward has been shifted to other place due to erosion. Besides, over 100 families are living under the open sky."
Soleman Hossain, 50, of Choumadia Char said, most people of the Padma chars are needy; they have to survive by facing flood; we make family works by tin-made Dunga; I have two cows; I collect feed for these by Dunga; now my home is flooded; I have no work.
Azizul Azam, former chairman of the union, said, swelled water of the Padma River inundated low areas in chars; due to erosion over 100 families took shelter on other places; along with cow and goat they are living in an inhuman condition.
Dunga is their only resort for communication, he added.
Bagha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tariqul Islam said, already relief assistance has been provided to people of the Padma chars.
If more relief is received, this will be distributed, the UNO added.
