Ships Stranded in the Padma as Water Levels Recede

Large sandbars have emerged in the Padma River at the beginning of Kartik, as water levels continue to fall. This has badly affected the waterways of Faridpur River Port, one of the country’s busiest river ports.

It is now the beginning of the Hemanta season, when the Padma is usually expected to have plenty of water. In previous years, floods had submerged many areas during this period. But this year, the river is facing a serious water shortage. Large sandbars are appearing in different parts of the river. As a result, river transport in the region is facing major problems, and ships are getting stranded in the Padma.

People connected with the river port fear that goods transport by river may face a serious crisis. This could also harm the regional economy.

The sandbars are blocking regular shipping routes. Ships are getting stuck in traffic, causing delays and higher costs. As the water level falls, the river becomes narrower. Cargo ships carrying hundreds of tonnes of goods are getting stuck in the middle of the river.

A journey of three kilometres normally takes 20 to 30 minutes. But because of sandbars and low water levels, the same journey now takes around three to four hours.

The driver of MV Nur confirmed the problem. He said ships have to keep their engines running for hours and move slowly. This has greatly increased fuel costs and financial losses.

Last Tuesday night, MV Beauty of Chittagong was carrying 700 sacks of cement when it got stuck on a sandbar in the Padma near Gabtala in Shibchar, Faridpur. MV Mostak Zero went to rescue the ship but also got stuck on the sandbar. After several hours of effort and special measures, both ships were rescued.

Sareng Bashir, a boatman and driver named Ali Mia confirmed the incident.

A local river port owner said ship owners are facing losses regularly. He also warned about security risks. Ships that remain stuck on sandbars or in the middle of the river for hours may face attacks by pirates and local extortionists. Drivers and sailors are worried about robbery and extortion, especially at night.

Large cargo ships cannot reach the port, so goods unloading at Faridpur River Port has almost stopped. This has directly affected around 300 port workers, including porters and loading and unloading workers.

As work has decreased, these workers are facing serious financial problems. Many may soon become unemployed. Porters’ leader Md Shahin Mia confirmed the situation.

Mehedi Hasan Yakub, a member of Ward No. 5 of North Channel Union, said poor planning in dredging was wasting crores of taka in government funds without solving the problem. Although the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) says it carries out regular dredging, the work is not bringing good results because of poor planning.

He said dredged soil and sand are sometimes dumped back into the main river flow or dredging is done along the wrong routes. As a result, silt builds up again within a few days and blocks the waterways. Many aware local people living beside the Padma share this view.

A scientific officer at the Faridpur River Research Centre said urgent and well-planned dredging was needed. He suggested conducting a hydrographic survey to identify the main channel of the river. The sand and silt removed during dredging should be taken away from the main flow. This would help increase the river’s water flow.

He also called for the quick installation of buoys and markers along the usable parts of the river. These would help ships follow the correct routes.

Ship owners and ship captains also said river police patrols in the Padma should be increased.

The officer in charge of the river port police outpost said they were taking the matter seriously. He added that they were working to ensure security on the river. Ship owners have called for regular patrols by river police and the Coast Guard to protect stranded ships and stop piracy and extortion.

Meanwhile, port workers’ organisations have called for urgent support for the 300 workers who may lose their jobs if the port becomes fully inactive. They said the workers need emergency financial help or alternative work until the port becomes fully operational again.

Subrata Roy, port officer at the Rajbari-Aricha River Port, said the government was continuing dredging work in the Padma to keep Faridpur River Port and nearby areas operational. He said dredging was being carried out wherever problems were reported.