Bangladesh, July 17 -- Continuous erosion by the Bishkhali and Gazalia rivers has cut off Islamabad village in Jhalakathi's Nalchity from the mainland, turning it into an island.

The remaining 45 families staying in the surviving portion of the village are living in deep uncertainty, with helpless households fearing the entire locality could soon be swallowed by the twin rivers unless immediate protection measures are taken.

The village, in Ranapasha union, has a government primary school, but poor connectivity and other hardships have sharply cut its student numbers, from more than 100 at one point to just 40 now.

Resident Md Shah Alam Howlader said his family once owned considerable land, all of it lost to river erosion, leaving him...