Anxiety is rising in Kerr Jarga after recent heavy rains triggered severe erosion that is now undermining the foundation of a vital electric pole, leaving the village at risk of losing power and facing a wider environmental crisis.
The once-stable pole now stands on fragile ground, with the sand around its base steadily eaten away by floodwaters. Villagers say the situation is worsening by the day and warn that a collapse could result in dangerous electrical hazards, prolonged outages, and further isolation for the community.
“We’re running out of hope for our village. We thought we had done enough to stem the erosion, but it seems like a losing battle,” said Awa Gaye, Councillor for Kerr Jarga ward.
Gaye said she had reached out to the National Environment Agency and the National Roads Authority for urgent support but has yet to receive a response. “I am starting to think they are more interested in the paperwork than the people,” she added.
The erosion has already disrupted daily life in the area. The main access road into the village has deteriorated, leaving vehicles struggling to pass, while the bridge connecting Muna Gen and Kuntaya is close to collapse. Residents are forced to take a lengthy detour through Memeh Kuntaya and Bangaleh, adding financial strain to already hard-pressed households.
“It’s like they’re waiting for us to hit rock bottom before they lift a finger,” Councillor Gaye said. “We are not just fighting erosion; we are fighting for our village’s very existence.”
For now, villagers say they can only wait and hope authorities act before the erosion claims more than just the road and power supply but their homes and future as well.
