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Residents along the Padma and Arial Khan rivers in Faridpur's Sadarpur upazila are battling severe river erosion for the seventh time in two months. Homes, roads, and agricultural land are being swallowed by the rivers, forcing many, like tea stall owner Alamgir Bepari, to repeatedly move their businesses and belongings.

Ninety-year-old Hasmat Bepari has already lost his brick house to the erosion. Residents have expressed frustration over the lack of permanent river protection measures, despite repeated appeals to authorities. The erosion has impacted at least nine villages, with Chandrapara, Char Balashia, and Munshir Char in Dheukhali union, and Shaitankhali Ghat, Chhalenama, Akot, Kalikhola, Mollakanda, and Khalashigram in Akoter Char union being the worst affected.

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We have been asking for permanent river protection for years. Leaders come, make promises and leave, but nothing changes.

According to Akoter Char union Parishad Chairman Aslam Bepari, approximately five kilometers of riverbank have eroded from Shaitankhali Ghat to Akot village. This has resulted in the displacement of 30 to 40 families and the loss of at least 33 acres of cropland. Sandbags have proven insufficient to halt the erosion, and over 200 families residing in government-built housing are also at risk.

Erosion has also intensified along the Arial Khan river in villages like Char Balashia, Chandrapara, and Munshir Char. Md Rakib Hossain, executive engineer of the Water Development Board in Faridpur, stated that sandbag deployment would commence immediately in the most affected areas as a temporary solution until permanent river protection structures can be implemented.

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So far, 30 to 40 families have relocated their homes, and at least 33 acres of cropland have been lost.