Approximately 50,000 individuals residing in the char areas along the Padma River are facing severe hardships amidst an unyielding heatwave, with little relief in sight.

Chilmari and Ramakrishnapur, two unions located in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia, bear the brunt as the Padma River, which courses through these regions, is now nearly dry.

During the dry season, vast sand dunes extend for kilometers, intensifying the challenges for locals.

Residents along the riverbank lament the adverse effects of the Farakka Barrage, which have caused the Padma to gradually lose water. The river's depletion has resulted in a scarcity of fish, jeopardizing the livelihoods of fishermen who rely on the Padma for sustenance.

Navigating the char area is particularly arduous due to insufficient communication infrastructure, with traditional modes of transportation such as cow-buffalo or horse-carts being the primary means of travel. Dust-laden mechanical vehicles are rendered impractical, impeding access to urgent medical care and leading to tragic accidents.

Sohel Hossain, a local resident, describes the unbearable conditions exacerbated by the intense heatwave, contrasting it with more manageable situations during other seasons. The hostile weather heightens risks, contributing to accidents such as fires, compounded by the lack of fire services and communication systems.

The Union Health Centre serves as a vital resource for medical emergencies, providing essential first aid and meals to residents.

Engineer Abdul Mannan, chairman of Chilmari Union Parishad, emphasizes the urgent need for improved communication systems to enhance residents' quality of life and usher in modernization.

Siraj Mandal, chairman of Ramkrinchpur Union Parishad, underscores the dire state of the Padma River during the dry season, attributing the crisis to reduced water flow and declining underground water levels.

Khademul Islam, Upazila Public Health Engineer, notes the yearly decrease in underground water levels along the Padma River in Daulatpur upazila. He highlights the current season's decline in water levels in riverside village tube wells.