Severe Riverbank Erosion in Kaukhali.

G.M. Adol Pirojpur District Correspondent. Severe riverbank erosion has suddenly hit Palpara area of Madhya Sonakur village under Amrajuri Union in Kaukhali upazila of Pirojpur, triggering panic among residents living along the Sandhya River. The erosion began abruptly around 6:00am on Sunday (September 27) along the western bank of the river. Within moments, a residential house and an electricity line were washed away into the river, leaving the entire area without electricity.Local residents said they were terrified when the riverbank suddenly began collapsing in the morning. Many people hurriedly left their homes and moved to safer places. At one point, the house of local resident Mona Malo disappeared into the river almost instantly. Electricity poles and lines were also pulled into the river by the erosion. Five riverside temples—Loknath, Kali, Durga, Shital and Ganga temples—are currently at serious risk of being washed away. Residents fear that the temples could disappear into the river at any moment. With Durga Puja approaching, members of the Hindu community have become increasingly concerned about the safety of the temples. At least 10 to 12 houses belonging to local residents, including Amal Pal, Parimal Pal, Tripti Pal, Rabi Malo, Bipul Malo, Sujan Malo, Sanjib Malo and Ramen Pal, are now at extreme risk. Fearing the loss of their homesteads, several families have already left their homes and are spending time under the open sky.According to local residents, around 20 to 22 houses in the area have previously been washed away by erosion of the Sandhya River.Bipul Malo, one of the affected residents, said, “All five temples in the village are now facing erosion. Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, is approaching. We are in deep uncertainty over whether the temples can be saved.” Residents also said that many of the affected and displaced families had to spend much of the day without adequate food. They are deeply worried about where they will go if their last remaining shelter is also swallowed by the river. The affected families and local residents have urged the authorities to take immediate and effective measures to prevent further erosion and protect the homes, temples and livelihoods of people living along the riverbank.