Dhaka, May 29 -- ul-Azha is traditionally marked by sacrifice, feasting and family celebrations, for thousands of people living in the riverine chars of northern Bangladesh this year's festival arrived with little more than anxiety, hardship and uncertainty.

Across the scattered islands formed by the Teesta, Dharla, Brahmaputra and Dudhkumar rivers, the usual sounds of Eid celebration were largely absent. In many char villages, no sacrificial animals were slaughtered and many families spent the day without meat on their tables.

For residents of the chars spread across Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Gaibandha districts, the festive spirit was overshadowed by mounting farm losses, debt burdens and the constant threat of ri...