Erosion Ravages Assam's Dhubri and Barpeta; Mosque, School Washed Away

Erosion along the Brahmaputra River continues to wreak havoc in Assam, displacing hundreds and devouring critical infrastructure. Two recent incidents, one in Dhubri and another in Barpeta, have once again exposed the state’s vulnerability to riverbank erosion and the administrative inaction surrounding it.

In a heart-wrenching scene captured on camera, the historic Jamia Masjid of Dhubri's Fakirganj was completely swallowed by the Brahmaputra on Sunday. The incident marks a tragic culmination of a slow-moving disaster that began four days ago when parts of the mosque started collapsing into the river. Since then, prayers had been suspended, and locals had feared the inevitable.

The erosion has already wiped out the entire Ohab Bazar, including over 300 shops and multiple homes. Residents were relocated to safer areas in advance, but the destruction has left an emotional and cultural void in the region. Despite the scale of the disaster, locals allege no significant response has come from the government.

In fact, during the Chief Minister’s recent visit to Dhubri, a woman and a young man from Fakirganj had submitted a written memorandum detailing the situation. However, no remedial steps have been initiated so far, residents claim.

Meanwhile, in Kachumara under Barpeta district’s Chenga constituency, severe riverbank erosion struck again. The Brahmaputra devoured a building of the Sunersali Government Primary School, even as exams were underway. The sudden collapse has raised serious concerns about student safety in erosion-prone zones.

Locals report that several families have lost their homes, and in the last two to three years alone, nearly 300 families in Sunersali village have been rendered homeless due to erosion. Yet, both the district administration and area MLA Ashraful Hussain have remained silent, say residents.

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