Rajshahi’s Bagha upazila residents are facing a dual crisis as the floodwaters of the Padma River begin to recede, riverbank erosion is intensifying, putting lives and homes at severe risk.
The receding water has also left a trail of destruction, with roads and infrastructure damaged, making movement difficult for the local population.
During the recent floods, water inundated courtyards and homes across all fifteen chars, causing immense hardship for a week.
While the water level has been decreasing for the past three to four days, the suffering has not abated. The ongoing erosion of the riverbanks poses a new and dangerous threat to the char inhabitants.
Soleman Hossain, a resident of Atarpara Char in Ward No. 2 of Chakrajapur union of the upazila, said, "The water is gone but the suffering is not over. Severe erosion has appeared in several places."
Shahidul Islam, a former member of Kalidaskhali Char in Ward No. 5, said, "The people of the chars live between floods and erosion. If we received even five per cent of the aid needed to compensate for this flood’s damage, it would be a huge help. But nothing is being provided. As the water recedes, the riverbanks are breaking away."
Former Ward No. 2 member Abdur Rahman, a resident of Atarpara Char, confirmed that 223 families live in his ward. "The government has provided 10 kg of rice to only 130 families. The rest come to me daily asking for help but I have nothing to give.
"However, I have informed the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), who has assured me that the remaining families will receive assistance within a day or two," he added.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Shafiullah Sultan reported that crops on over 200 hectares of land have been damaged.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shammi Akter said, "The government has provided assistance to 220 families in the Choumadi, Atarpara and Diyarkadipur chars, as well as to 76 families in the Khanpur cluster village. We will also provide aid to those who were left out."
AHA/NSA
