Princh Mondal Olif, Bagerhat District Correspondent:
Severe river erosion along the Mongla-Ghasiakhali International Navigation Channel has created a growing humanitarian and infrastructure crisis in Rampal upazila of Bagerhat. More than 100 families have already lost their homesteads, while another 150 or more families are reportedly living under the threat of further erosion.
The worst-affected areas include Romjaipur, Singarbunia, Orabunia and Golar Dangi in Hurka union. Local residents say around 35 to 40 families have lost their homes in Romjaipur, while nearly 40 families have been displaced in Orabunia. Another 15 to 20 families have lost their homesteads in Golar Dangi.
The erosion has also damaged roads and public infrastructure. Around six to seven kilometres of paved roads have reportedly disappeared into the river. A 620-metre box culvert, constructed in 2020 at a cost of Tk 21.55 million, has also suffered major damage. The Rampal Upazila Agriculture Office and Secondary Education Office are among the facilities facing erosion risks.
The crisis has disrupted access to schools, markets and healthcare facilities. In several areas, road communication becomes difficult during high tides, forcing residents to depend on boats.
The Mongla-Ghasiakhali channel was developed beginning in the 2011-12 fiscal year to support the Mongla Port, protect the environment and reduce pressure on alternative waterways near the Sundarbans. Local residents and environmental activists, however, have alleged that 83 connected canals and rivers mentioned in the project plan were not dredged as expected. They believe this may have affected natural water flow and contributed to erosion.
Officials have also pointed to several possible factors behind the erosion, including natural river currents, tidal pressure, waves generated by vessels using the international route and the impact of ongoing dredging.
Bagerhat Water Development Board Executive Engineer Jayanta Pal said erosion is currently occurring at five to six points along the channel, with preventive work already started at three locations. He said a sustainable development plan is being prepared for the major erosion-prone areas.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Lion Dr Sheikh Faridul Islam recently inspected the affected areas and announced an initiative to construct piling protection structures to combat the erosion.
Residents, however, say emergency protection alone will not be enough. They are demanding a long-term river management strategy, sustainable embankment construction and rehabilitation of displaced families. They have also renewed their demand for implementation of the proposed 34/2-folder WAPDA embankment to protect the wider Rampal coastal area.
News Published By:
Bangladesh Diary
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