Every monsoon, people of Khuner Char in Kalkini Upazila of Madaripur district live with the fear that the Arial Khan River may swallow their homes and farmland.
As the rainy season begins, the river has once again turned aggressive, with strong currents triggering severe erosion in several riverside areas, including Khuner Char, Saheberampur, Kayaria and Mollahat under Basgari Union. Hundreds of families are spending their days in anxiety, fearing that their houses, agricultural land and other structures could disappear into the river this season.
Locals have long been demanding a permanent river protection embankment to save their communities from the recurring devastation.
Seventy-year-old Soleman Kha of Khuner Char said river erosion affects a 10–15 kilometre stretch almost every year during the monsoon.
“On average, 100 to 200 families lose their homes every year due to erosion. Many are forced to leave everything behind and take shelter elsewhere — some at relatives’ homes and others in rented accommodation, living a miserable life,” he said.
The worst erosion has been reported in Khuner Char under Basgari Union. Erosion has also started in Mahisher Char area of Madaripur Sadar Upazila. With new areas disappearing into the river every day due to the strong current, local residents have become increasingly worried.
“Every year, our fear begins with the arrival of the monsoon. We live with the uncertainty of when our homes will be washed away. Many people have already become destitute after losing everything,” said local resident Ruhul Amin Malat.
Another resident, Anwar Badsha, said temporary measures have failed to provide a lasting solution.
“Geo-bags are dumped every year to control erosion, but within a few days they lose their effectiveness due to the river current. There will be no permanent solution without constructing a permanent river protection embankment,” he said.
Halimon Begum, wife of Rahim Sanyamat, said her family has been living under constant stress.
“We cannot sleep peacefully at night. The river is gradually moving closer. We remain worried about our children all the time. Our only demand is that the government takes permanent measures quickly,” she said.
Many locals alleged that although geo-bags are placed every year as a temporary measure, they fail to protect communities in the long run. They urged the authorities to take immediate steps to build a permanent embankment along the Arial Khan River.
Kalkini Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saief-ul-Arefin said the government has been continuing the placement of geo-bags in vulnerable areas to reduce erosion risks.
“Alongside the ongoing measures, the issue of constructing a permanent river protection embankment is also being considered seriously by the relevant authorities,” he said.
Local residents hope that a quick and effective permanent solution will protect thousands of people from the recurring threat of river erosion and safeguard their homes, farmland and livelihoods.
