Five villages of Kawkhali upazila in Pirojpur district are facing a severe erosion threat posed by the Sandhya river.  Large areas of Sonakur, Hogla-Betka, Sayna, Raghunathpur and Gandharva villages of Sayna-Raghunathpur union have been devoured by the river, while Sonakur village has almost disappeared into its swirling waters.  

The traditional work of pottery of Sonakur Paulpara has ceased as the potters’ homes have into the river.  Hundreds of families of these village have lost their land and property. Many have taken shelter in the housing (Abason Prokalpo) project, while others have taken refuge in relatives' houses.  Indra Kundu, Shankar Paul, Binoy Paul, Kalu Sheikh, Hemayet Akon, Monir Chawkidar are some of those displaced by the erosion. Indra Kundu said: “The river has gobbled up my two-bigha land.  One-third of Sonakur village is now in the river.”

 Of late, erosion has assumed devastating proportions. Fifty per cent of the villagers are at risk because of the threat posed by the river.  Villagers complained that despite a change in the local topography caused by the erosion, no step has been taken to tame the river.

Kawkhali upazila parisad chairman Ahsan Kabir said: “About 20 bighas of land, 50 houses and 20 shops of Sonakur village have disappeared into the river in the last one month. If the authorities do not take steps to prevent river erosion, Sonakur village will soon disappear from the map of Kawkhali upazila.”