The Char Kharuya flood shelter on the Dharla shoal of Mughalhat union in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila is under threat due to river erosion and only dumping of geo-bags on an emergency basis could protect it. But the Water Development Board's executive engineer has said they do not have the funds to do so at the moment.

The flood shelter is now 50 metres away from erosion. Locals fear that if erosion is not checked by dumping of geo-bags on an emergency basis, the shelter centre may vanish into the river any time, reports our local correspondent.

Water Development Board Executive Engineer Mizanur Rahman said it is not possible to dump geo-bags at the moment due to lack of funds.

The higher authorities were informed about the matter, he said. And work to protect the shelter centre will start after securing funds.

Mizanur Rahman and chairman of Mogholhat Union Parishad Habibur Rahman  visited the spot this afternoon.

Badiar Rahman (63), a farmer from Char Kharuya village, told The Daily Star that they take shelter in this centre every year during floods.

He added that they have to stay in the shelter for a few days with their livestock, and other belongings but fear they may not be able to do so as the place is now under threat due to erosion.

"If the flood shelter goes under water, we will suffer a lot during the floods," he said.

Another farmer Majibar Rahman (55), of the same area said this shelter is their only hope during the floods.

"Due to continuous rise of water in Dharla River, the shelter could disappear into the river at any time," he said.

Habibur Rahman, chairman of the Mogholhat Union Parishad, said they have requested WDB authorities to protect the flood shelter from erosion through dumping of geo-bags on an emergency basis.