Folimari Char in Mogolhat union under Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila is on the brink of extinction as severe and continuous erosion by the River Dharla intensified in the past week. 
Nearly two hundred families have already been displaced, many more are fearing to lose their homes, cropland, and sources of livelihood. The remaining residents fear that the entire char may soon vanish unless urgent and effective protective measures are taken.
The River Dharla, a transboundary waterway, enters Bangladesh through Changrabandha in Patgram upazila, flows back into India near Patgram Police Station, and re-enters Bangladesh along the northeastern part of Mogolhat union. Over the past few years, the river’s aggressive currents have eroded three-quarters of Folimari Char, once home to about 350 families, 90% of whom depended on agriculture.
Local residents said houses of nearly 200 families, agricultural land, trees, schools, madrasas, mosques, clinics, unpaved roads, bridges, shops, eidgah grounds, cemeteries, and essential electricity installations have already been devoured by the river. The displaced families have taken shelter in different areas after losing everything.
A recent visit to the area revealed that the remaining portion of the char lacks basic services, including electricity, healthcare, and education. Boat transport is the only means of communication. The remaining 150 families, along with a primary school, a shelter centre, arable land, trees, and a mosque, are now under severe threat of collapse. Residents warned that without permanent erosion control, Folimari Char may disappear entirely over time.
Ashar Uddin, a 55-year-old resident, said the Dharla embankment breaks even with slight fluctuation in water levels. “Schools, madrasas, houses, agricultural land and trees have all been washed away,” he said.
Another resident, Lutfar Rahman, 45, described repeated displacement due to erosion. “We had a lot of cultivated land. Now there is no space to build a house. I’ve shifted my home 5–7 times and even lost my parents’ graves and all my cropland. I am now destitute,” he said.
Mogalhat Union Parishad member Jonab Ali, himself a former resident of Folimari Char, said he lost everything and had to shift to Ward no 2. “About 150 families are still at high risk. If geo-bags are placed in time, many homes and farmlands could be saved,” he said, with tears in his eyes.
Union Parishad panel chairman Dulal Hossain said erosion is not limited to Folimari Char but is affecting various parts of Wards 3 and 4. “Despite repeatedly informing the UNO and the Water Development Board, no effective steps have been taken,” he added.
Contacted, Lalmonirhat Water Development Board Executive Engineer Shunil Kumar said they have inspected the erosion sites. “Work has begun in some areas. We currently have no geo-bags in stock. Once new allocations arrive, steps will be taken to prevent further erosion,” he said.