Padma almost devours Khidirpur Char

RAJSHAHI, Oct 3: The existence of Char Khidirpur located at the riverbank area under Horian union of Paba upazila in the district is now under great threat of being wiped out as constant onslaught of the River Padma has already devoured most of the char area this season.
According to sources, only 200 metres of the char now remains intact. About 12,000 people used to live here, but now it has been reduced to 50 houses with only few people living there.
As the char land close to Indian border, the map of the country will be changed with the erosion of the remaining part,  the sources said.  
While visiting the area, this correspondent found that there are only some people on the char. The houses remained will also be washed away by the river erosion in near future, the locals apprehended.
While talking to The Daily Observer, one Ziarul Islam of the char said that it is only matter of one year or so that they will have to leave their homesteads as the turbulent Padma is not going to spare them during the next rainy season.
Now, they are passing days amid great hardships and difficulties. More than hundred houses were eroded by the river recently. Moreover sufferings of homeless people now know no bound, he added.
Another Golam Mustafa said that this year around six bighas of land have gone under Padma water. Now it has only 200 metres that remain to go into the river. It would disappear in the upcoming rainy season. As a result, they are compelled to leave the char as soon as possible, he added.
Sources said, once 3,500 voters used to live here which has reduced to 1,816 in 2011 election and now only the 10 voter are staying here as the river erosion has driven the people from here during last ten years. Besides, 7, 8, and 9 no wards of Horian union have also been affected by the river erosion.  
Union Parishad Member Golam Mustafa said that Water Development Board (WDB) in Paba upazila, tried to protect the char from river erosion through dumping of sand sacks in 2014, but they failed to thwart the erosion with minimum effort.  After that, no measures have been taken here to protect the char, he added.
When contacted, Executive Engineer of WDB Mukhlesur Rahman said "We have sent a written letter to the authorities concerned to take necessary measures to protect the char immediately from erosion."