41- km embankment at risk : Homes, markets under threat of erosion in Satkhira
SM Sahidul Islam, Satkhira
Severe cracks have appeared in flood protection embankments across Satkhira, while large sections have collapsed into rivers. As a result, homesteads, markets, and farmland in various coastal areas face grave risks of erosion and flooding.
According to the Water Development Board (WDB), 41.18 kilometers out of the district's total 680 kilometers of embankment have been identified as highly vulnerable.
During a spot visit to the Budhhata Bazar area in Assasuni Upazila, bank erosion caused by strong currents of the Betna River was visibly underway. Multiple shops in the market and adjacent homes are on the verge of destruction. Recently, a portion of a local bakery collapsed into the river. Shahamat Ali Sardar, an elderly resident, shared that the river, which was far off during his childhood, has steadily eroded its way to the edge of homesteads. All of his arable land had previously been submerged.
A similar situation prevails along the banks of the Morichap River near Assasuni town. Minara Begum, a local resident, stated that the land in front of their home, built around ten years ago, has been swallowed by the river.
Over the past year alone, three rooms of their home collapsed into the water, and the remaining portion is now threatened. Mohammad Abdul Hai, a local tea stall owner for nearly 23 years, mentioned that after the river was dredged by cutting away the silt flats, the flow shifted course to strike directly at the market. Currently, temporary measures using bamboo, sandbags, and geo-bags are being implemented to protect the bank.
In Tala Upazila, residents along the Kapotaksha River in Balia village face a similar plight. Whenever tidal waters rise, locals guard the embankment through the night. They fear that a breach could flood homes, agricultural lands, and fish enclosures across Balia, Shubhangarkathi, Tegharia, and Shrimantakathi villages.
In Tala Upazila, residents along the Kapotaksha River in Balia village face a similar plight. Whenever tidal waters rise, locals guard the embankment through the night. They fear that a breach could flood homes, agricultural lands, and fish enclosures across Balia, Shubhangarkathi, Tegharia, and Shrimantakathi villages.
Recently, in the Kurikahunia area of Pratapnagar Union under Assasuni, cracks appeared on the Kapotaksha embankment, causing a large segment to collapse. Local residents voluntarily joined WDB officials to place geo-bags, but the erosion could not be checked immediately.
Following the destruction of the main embankment, a ring embankment was constructed behind it using geo-tubes to temporarily hold back tidal waters. Abu Daud Dhali, Chairman of Pratapnagar Union Parishad, noted that at least three kilometers of embankment in his union remain vulnerable, calling for permanent, robust structures instead of temporary fixes.
According to WDB data, several points along the embankment are at severe risk, including Kakbasia, Bishto, Monipur, Kurikahunia, Ruiyer Bil, Banyatala, and Jhapa in Assasuni, as well as Paschim Patakhali, Kamalkati, Kalibazar, and Chaulkhola in Shyamnagar. Additionally, under WDB Division-1, several locations along the Ichamati River border area, the confluence of the Kalindi and Raimangal rivers, Kaikhali, Harinagar, and spots along the Kholpetua River have been flagged as vulnerable.
According to WDB data, several points along the embankment are at severe risk, including Kakbasia, Bishto, Monipur, Kurikahunia, Ruiyer Bil, Banyatala, and Jhapa in Assasuni, as well as Paschim Patakhali, Kamalkati, Kalibazar, and Chaulkhola in Shyamnagar. Additionally, under WDB Division-1, several locations along the Ichamati River border area, the confluence of the Kalindi and Raimangal rivers, Kaikhali, Harinagar, and spots along the Kholpetua River have been flagged as vulnerable.
Out of 383 kilometers of embankments under Division-1, nearly four kilometers across eight locations are at risk. Under Division-2, 37.18 kilometers out of 297 kilometers are classified as high-risk.
WDB officials acknowledged a shortage of funds for preventive maintenance. Md. Rashidul Islam, Sub-Divisional Engineer of WDB Division-2, stated that emergency work is typically carried out when embankments are about to breach or after water enters. However, allocations for proactive, permanent repairs remain inadequate. He added that while repairs are planned under Phase II of the Coastal Embankment Improvement Project (CEIP), the process has experienced delays.
Meanwhile, Md. Golam Zakaria, Executive Engineer of WDB Division-1, mentioned that work on two ongoing projects under their jurisdiction has reached around 70 percent completion. However, no funds have been received from the Climate Change Trust Fund over the past four to five years.
Plans are underway to submit new project proposals to secure future funding from the trust.
Alinur Khan, Joint Member Secretary of the Satkhira Citizen Committee, stressed that rather than rushing to make emergency repairs after a disaster strikes, vulnerable sections must be identified and repaired in advance. Without strengthening preventive measures, securing the lives, property, and livelihoods of the coastal population will remain difficult.
