Gofran Palash, Kalapara (Patuakhali)

The embankment in the coastal area of Kalapara, Patuakhali, which was damaged by Cyclone Sidr, has still not been sustainably reconstructed. 

As a result, not only cyclones, tidal surges, and floods but even an increase in river water during the monsoon causes erosion and breach of the embankment. This leads to the flooding of vast areas, destroying homes and crops. People become destitute, losing their homesteads. Thousands of people's settlements are swept away, taking away their livelihoods.

Due to climate change and various natural disasters, the coastal area of Kalapara is becoming increasingly uninhabitable. The lack of sustainable embankments has worsened the situation. People in different coastal regions are pleading for embankments to protect their lives and livelihoods. Even when embankments are built with voluntary labor, they do not last long.

It is reported that Kalapara Upazila spans 492.10 square kilometers, comprising 12 unions, 2 municipalities, and 244 villages. Recently, due to a depression, water levels in various rivers across the 12 unions of the upazila have risen, causing erosion. Tidal waters have started submerging riverside homes and croplands. Before the monsoon even begins, residents along the banks of the Ramnabad and Andharmanik rivers are in disarray. Homesteads, arable lands, and structures have already begun to sink into the river.

Most of the embankments in the coastal areas of Kalapara are in a fragile state. Despite the expenditure of crores of taka in reconstruction after the devastating Cyclone Sidr, sustainable construction could not be ensured due to corruption and irregularities. In some places, the embankment is only two to three feet wide earthen structures. Coastal residents are spending sleepless nights fearing these weak embankments may collapse. Victims are demanding embankment construction before the upcoming monsoon, even if they have to contribute labor.

According to the Kalapara office of the Water Development Board (WDB), geo bags and geo tubes were installed urgently from 13.000 km to 14.120 km of embankment under polder 54/A in Kalapara upazila, covering a total of 1,120 meters. The project cost approximately 1.5 crore taka.

Investigations reveal that geo bags and tubes were provided for embankment protection on the banks of the Rabnabad River in Karmojatla village of Champapur Union. Yet, within four months, collapses were noticed at various points. The sand inside the bags came out due to the impact of waves, and the embankment slope collapsed. This is the condition of polder 54/A along the Rabnabad River in Karmojatla village.

Meanwhile, panic has increased among riverside residents. Now they become alarmed just by seeing clouds in the sky. Because they have witnessed the horrors of devastating cyclones in the past. They fear that the main embankment might collapse and cause flooding at any time.

Locals allege that substandard geo bags and torn old geo tubes were used for protection work. As a result, the bags tore under the impact of river waves, releasing the sand and quickly collapsing the embankment slope. They fear that if this continues, the entire embankment could be lost before the monsoon arrives. Similarly, a collapse has been observed just four months after the installation of emergency geo bags and tubes to protect the embankment at Nijampur area along the Andharmanik River. People living along the river are in fear even before the monsoon has begun. They say the main embankment could collapse at any time in this situation.

Residents report that every monsoon they live in fear of erosion by the Ramnabad River. Also, during full moon, new moon, or heavy rainfall, the suffering of these riverside people increases. Yet, no permanent embankment has been built here for years. They demand a prompt government initiative to build a sustainable embankment. Otherwise, surrounding villages could disappear into the river at any time. They also claim that years of dredging in the Ramnabad River have worsened the erosion.

Anwar Hossain, a resident of Karmojatla village, said, “We saw many torn tubes. There was no support underneath due to the lack of geo bags. If the monsoon starts, we’ll face major trouble.”

Another resident, Rafiqul Islam, said, “Years of dredging in the Ramnabad River have increased the erosion here. Yet no sustainable protection has been implemented under emergency measures.”

Ishaq Hawlader from Nijampur village said, “Our embankment has been washed away by the river three times. Now we want a permanent embankment.”

Bidya Ratan Sarkar, Sub-Assistant Engineer of Kalapara WDB, said, “That spot is extremely risky. Protection was provided amid strong waves. There was a shortage of soil, which had to be brought from far away. Still, we tried to do the work properly.” However, he admitted that due to the risky nature of the spot, concrete blocks are necessary for permanent protection.

Shah Alam Bhuiyan, Executive Engineer of WDB, said, “That area is critical. There’s no space inside, and there's a shortage of soil. Erosion cannot be prevented there without constructing a permanent embankment.”