The New Nation - Internet Edition

Water’s other name is life. However this is not always truthful as water sometimes acts destructively. In Austomir char almost every year flood water breaks the rhythm of people’s life. Amidst the swirling waters of the river Brahmaputra more than 14,600 people live in Austomir char, river silt in North Bengal's Kurigram district- only accessible by boat.

The island and its inhabitants have to fight frequently and intensively against flood and erosion. Each year many families have to shift their belongings to safer places. Lands are lost-crops get destroyed-misery comes to play. Almost 90% land of the island being sandy is not suitable for agriculture. Besides, problem for irrigation and transportation create difficulties for cultivation. Poverty is the final outcome.

There is only one high school and a primary school on this island for the children. A small local market opened only on Friday and Monday is merely a place for trade. The nearest large market in Chilmari is an hour distance by boat. There are no government health clinics here and only one medicine store. With such harsh living conditions, many inhabitants end up in the cities searching for a new job.

Photo & Text: Saikat Ranjan Bhadra

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