Dhaki River erosion in Dacope destroys embankment, threatens homesteads and farmland

Severe erosion by the Dhaki River in Khulna’s Dacope upazila has caused collapses and cracks at several points along the WAPDA embankment. With parts of the embankment swallowed by the river in Batbunia and in the Khona area of Pankhali union, homesteads, roads and farmland are under threat. Having fought river erosion for three decades without finding a permanent solution, local residents are living in extreme anxiety and fear.

Around 6 am yesterday, a section of the embankment in the upazila’s Batbunia area was swallowed by the Dhaki River. Erosion by the same river also caused a section of the embankment to collapse in the Khona area of Pankhali union. With a large part of the embankment broken in front of Mollabari, communication in the area and the homes nearby are at risk.

Asad, a local resident, said they have been victims of river erosion for nearly 30 years. Every year, the embankment breaks several times and water enters the settlements. The river has swallowed their own homes, the homesteads of many neighbouring families, and about 300 bigha of farmland. He said that although the embankment is repaired again and again, the erosion does not stop. Whenever the water rises during the monsoon or with the tide, the fear of fresh erosion returns, and they are left worrying about protecting their homes and crops.

Rashedul Islam Babu, member of Ward 8 of Pankhali Union Parishad, said cracks appeared in the embankment in front of Khona Mollabari more than a week ago. Half of the road has already gone into the river. Although the Water Development Board (BWDB) has been informed repeatedly, no effective permanent step has been taken to prevent the erosion. He also said that a large part of about 100 metres of road in the Khona area, under Polder 31 of Dacope, has collapsed. If prompt action is not taken, there is a fear that the remaining road will also be swallowed by the river.

The erosion is not limited to Khona or Batbunia. The Dhaki River’s erosion continues in various parts of Dacope. Cracks and erosion have appeared in the embankment at several places, including Jaber’s ferry ghat, Kaminibasia, Garkhali, Andharmanik, the Kalibari launch ghat at Gunari in Sutarkhali, Kalabogi Bazar, Banishanta and Telirkona Bazar. Residents fear further damage to settlements, farmland and local communication if preventive measures are not taken promptly at these places.

Locals allege that during the high tides of the new moon and full moon, the river water rises, breaks the embankment and floods vast areas. Last year, the embankment broke in Batbunia, washing away transplanted aman paddy fields and fish in ponds. Farmers and fish farmers suffered financial losses as a result.

The victims claim that the embankment is damaged again and again because of unplanned and substandard repair work. They have also raised allegations of irregularities against BWDB officials and contractors. However, the statements of the authorities concerned on these allegations need to be obtained, verified and published.

Dacope Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Borhan Uddin Mithu said steps would be taken to quickly repair the vulnerable embankments in coordination with the Water Development Board.

Md Rashidur Rahman, executive engineer of Division-2 of the Khulna Water Development Board, said the vulnerable spots have been inspected. Work will begin there soon.

Local residents, however, say that emergency repairs alone will not bring a permanent solution. The causes of the erosion must be identified and a sustainable, planned system of protection built. Otherwise, homesteads, farmland and important roads will continue to be swallowed one after another, and new areas will remain at risk of flooding by tidal water.