The Brahmaputra River has devoured the homesteads of at least 30 families in Goalpuri Char under Jatrapur union of Sadar upazila in Kurigram over one week, with over 100 other families remaining under threat of erosion.
The char, located near the Assam border in India, was once home to around 400 families. However, years of relentless erosion have already forced nearly 150 families to relocate elsewhere.
Anwar Hossain, a member of Jatrapur Union Parishad, said 30 families have become homeless over the last seven days till Thursday as the river continued to swallow homesteads.
“If the current pace of erosion continues, nearly 100 more families in Goalpuri may lose their homes at any time,” he warned.
Anwar added that a mosque has already been dismantled and relocated to a safer area due to the advancing erosion, while the village graveyard has been washed away by the river.
The erosion has left a devasting impact on the lives of victims.
Jasim Uddin, who recently lost his home, said he had spent his life's savings building the house. “Within a few days, everything was swallowed by the river. Now, I am worried about where I will take my family,” he said.
Another resident, Nur Hossain, said the affected families are also facing food shortages.
“Along with losing our homes, we are struggling to manage food for our families. We are living in extremely difficult conditions,” he said.
Several other residents, including Pashan Mia, Mortuza Ali, Kalu Mia, Khalek Molla, Bashik Mia, Rashid Mia and Lalchan Mia, echoed similar concerns about their uncertain future.
The ongoing erosion has created deep anxiety among residents of Goalpuri Char, many of whom are now dismantling their homes in advance and preparing to move to safer locations in a desperate attempt to save whatever remains of their belongings.
Prof Shafiqul Islam Bebu, president of the Kurigram Char Development and Implementation Council, warned that Goalpuri Char could disappear entirely if the erosion continues unchecked.
“In many countries, families affected by river erosion receive immediate compensation. In Bangladesh, however, victims often do not receive adequate support,” he said.
Shafiqul Islam urged the government to provide emergency compensation and rehabilitation assistance for the affected families.
Meanwhile, Executive Engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in Kurigram Rakibul Hasan said erosion has been reported at 36 locations across the district.
“Work to check erosion is currently underway at 20 points. The remaining vulnerable areas are under observation, and necessary measures will be taken based on the situation,” he said.