Monsoon revives riverbank erosion crisis

Hundreds of families along the banks of the Arial Khan River in Madaripur’s Kalkini upazila are once again facing the threat of displacement as monsoon-driven river erosion intensifies, devouring homesteads and farmland and forcing many to flee their homes.

Residents of several riverside villages say the annual erosion has become a recurring disaster, leaving them in constant fear of losing their homes and livelihoods with every spell of heavy rain and rising river water.

A visit to the affected areas on Wednesday and information from local sources revealed that the Arial Khan River, which flows through Kalkini upazila, has begun eroding large stretches of its banks following a rise in water levels and strong currents during the monsoon.

The worst-hit areas include Khuner Char, Saheberampur, Koyaria and Mollarhat under Banshgari Union, while fresh erosion has also been reported in Mohisher Char under Madaripur Sadar upazila.

According to local residents, river erosion affects nearly 10 to 15 kilometres of riverbank every monsoon season.

On average, the homesteads of 100 to 150 families are washed away each year, forcing many to seek shelter at relatives’ homes or move into rented accommodation after losing all their belongings.
The erosion is currently most severe in Khuner Char, where fresh sections of land are collapsing into the river almost every day, heightening fears among residents.

“Every monsoon brings fear. Many people lose everything and become destitute. Some are now living at relatives’ houses.

We have somehow managed to save our home, but we cannot sleep at night, fearing the river may swallow it at any moment,” said Rahim Ali, an elderly resident of Khuner Char village.

Karim Molla, another resident of the village, said temporary protection measures have failed to provide a lasting solution.

“Geo bags are dumped along the riverbank every year, but within a few days the strong current washes them away or renders them ineffective. Unless a permanent river protection embankment is constructed, this problem will continue,” he said.

Local housewife Amena Begum said the river was moving closer to residential areas with each passing day.”We are constantly worried about our children.

We spend sleepless nights wondering when the river will reach our house. Our only hope is that the government takes permanent measures before more families lose everything,” she said.

Local people alleged that despite repeated erosion over the years, no permanent riverbank protection project has been implemented in the area.

They urged the government to take immediate steps to construct a durable embankment to safeguard lives, homes and agricultural land.

Kalkini Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saif Ul Arefin said the government is continuing to place geo bags in vulnerable areas as an emergency measure to reduce erosion.

“The construction of a permanent river protection embankment is also under consideration by the relevant authorities. We are monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to minimise the damage,” he said.

For the people living along the Arial Khan River, however, the temporary measures have done little to ease their anxiety, as every monsoon brings the same fear that the river may claim yet another stretch of land and with it, the homes and futures of countless families.