Rahad Sumon from Banaripara (Barishal): Riverbank erosion along the Sandhya River in Banaripara Upazila has taken a severe turn in recent days, threatening homes, croplands, and local infrastructure.
According to local residents, several meters of riverbank have already been swallowed by the rising waters, leaving dozens of families at risk of displacement. Areas most affected include low-lying villages situated close to the river, where continuous erosion has damaged homesteads and forced many to relocate temporarily.
“I lost a portion of my farmland overnight,” said Nurul Islam, a farmer from the area. “If this continues, we will have nowhere to go.”
Several villages under Saliabakpur and Chakhar Union—including Goailbari, Khodabakhsha, Khejurbaria, Bashar, Chalitabari, and Chirapara villages—have already lost numerous houses to the river.
According to on-site observations, erosion has been continuing over the past few decades along the riverbanks. As a result, Khodabakhsha Dakhil Madrasa and many nearby homes are now under serious threat. Many families, having been affected multiple times by the erosion, have lost everything and are now living in extreme hardship.
Among the victims, the houses of Rasel Master, Delwar Hossain, and Md. Nasir Uddin, along with several others, have already been swallowed by the river.
The Sandhya River is eroding badly in the areas of Khejurbari, Nabagram, Masjidbari, ,Goailbari, Banglabazar, Natwar Par, Sialkathi, Dandwat, Dumuria, Barangati, Chalitabari, Purba Jirakathi, Chirapara, Nalasri, Masjidbari, Kalirbazar, Chaulakathi, Haque Sahebber Hat, Brahmankathi, and Jambudwip of the upazila. Many educational institutions and religious establishments, including the former building of Sialkathi Ferry Ghat; Masjidbari School and College; Kalirbazar and Jambudwip Government Primary School; Mirerhat Government Primary School; and several other schools, have had to be shifted 4 to 5 times due to river erosion. There are also families who have moved houses 4-5 times due to river erosion but have faced river erosion again.
Locals report that new areas are being eroded every day, leaving residents in constant fear.
Residents complain that no effective measures have been taken for a long time to prevent the erosion. They are demanding immediate river management projects and the construction of sustainable embankments to ensure permanent protection from further damage.
Local representatives and concerned citizens have drawn the attention of the Honorable Member of Parliament for the Barishal-02 constituency, S. Sarfuddin Ahmed Santu, urging prompt intervention. They warn that without swift action, the entire area may be lost to the river.
Locals fear that without urgent and effective measures to prevent river erosion, a vast area of Banaripara will face severe devastation.
