Sand extraction causes 50m Padma embankment collapse, residents move shops, homes

Unplanned sand extraction at Sureshwar in Naria Upazila of Shariatpur has caused 50 meters of the right bank protection embankment of the Padma to collapse. A part of the 70 years old Sureshwar fish market has gone into the river. Traders of Sureshwar Bazar are moving their shops, and people living on the Padma bank are moving their homes in fear. The Water Development Board says it is dumping sand filled geo bags into the river to stop the erosion.

Yesterday morning, a visit to the area showed that 50 meters of the embankment near Sureshwar fish market had fallen into the Padma. Cracks had appeared in the embankment a day before. Locals said the erosion started because of the very strong current along the bank and the unplanned sand lifting from the riverbed.

Fish depot owner Mr. Raju Bepari said, “Our condition is terrible. We had our depot the day before yesterday, and yesterday the river took it. Where will we go now? Where will we do business?” Fish trader Mr. Aowlad Sardar said the river has taken their fish selling depots. He said hundreds of people are losing their income, and asked where they would stand now.

Mr. Din Islam, who has run a business at Sureshwar Bazar for 25 years, said they have no place to stand. He said the market, which is half a century old, has gone into the river. Depot owners Mr. Shahjalal Mia, Mr. Saiful Islam and Mr. Azizul Molla said about 30 to 35 fish depots of the 70 years old market have gone into the river. They said the depot owners are now buying and selling under the open sky.

They also said that about 500 to 600 people of the Sureshwar area work in the fish business at this market. These people are in deep worry about where and how they will live and keep their business running. The Sureshwar launch ghat, a mosque, a madrasa, farmland and homesteads are also under threat of erosion. The victims and locals have asked the government to take quick and effective steps.

Yesterday morning, Dr. Mahmud Hossain Bokaul visited the affected area. He is the defeated Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Shariatpur 2 seat and Secretary General of the National Doctors Forum. He told journalists that the strong current and the unplanned sand lifting from the riverbed caused the erosion. He asked the administration to stop the unplanned sand lifting at once to prevent further erosion.

Mr. Jasim Uddin, Sub Assistant Engineer of the Shariatpur District Water Development Board, said the board is dumping sand filled geo bags into the river right away to stop the erosion. He said a strong and lasting embankment will be built here in the dry season. Yesterday morning, Mr. Abdul Hamid, Additional Chief Engineer of the Water Development Board Faridpur Zone, also visited the area.

Mr. Abdul Hamid told journalists that work to stop the erosion has started after informing senior officials. He said the strong current and sand lifting may also be causes of the erosion. The Shariatpur District Water Development Board completed a 10.2 kilometer embankment to protect the right bank of the Padma at a cost of Tk 1,403 crore in 2023, alongside the Padma Bridge project.