According to reports in the press, the condition of the embankments in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram is highly fragile. Media coverage has highlighted a worrying picture for local residents.
The embankment stretching from Bashbaria beach to Kumira ferry terminal is about four kilometers long, of which three kilometers are reinforced with blocks.
However, tidal surges have damaged these blocks in 16 places, creating large craters in many areas.
Additionally, the sluice gate at the Sikdar canal near the Bashbaria ferry terminal is also damaged, raising concerns of severe public suffering during the upcoming monsoon season.
According to the Water Development Board, around 500 meters of the embankment are damaged, and a proposal for its permanent repair has been submitted to the ministry. However, the project has yet to be approved.
If the repair work is not done before the monsoon, it could lead to widespread disruption to local life and agriculture. Often, due to delays in decision-making and implementation, people are deprived of the intended benefits of government projects.
This is not just the case in Sitakunda; across Bangladesh, the fragile state of embankments is a common issue. Recent events show that many embankments across the country are collapsing due to their deteriorated condition, flooding vast areas and severely affecting public life.
For example, due to the impact of the recent cyclone Remal, about 100 kilometers of embankments in the coastal region have been damaged.
As per Water Development Board statistics, there are currently about 5,700 kilometers of embankments in the country, a significant portion of which are vulnerable due to lack of maintenance.
Reports suggest that nearly 3,500 kilometers of embankments urgently require repair or reconstruction.
Because of the poor condition of these embankments, extensive agricultural land, fish farms, homes, and infrastructure suffer heavy losses each year during the monsoon and cyclone seasons.
Though the Water Development Board has initiated several projects to repair these embankments, bureaucratic complications, lack of funding, and failure to implement projects on time often prevent the desired outcomes.
The example of Sitakunda is telling: a project worth Tk 560 crore has been proposed for the repair of a four-kilometer stretch of embankment, but it still awaits approval. This delay is heightening public anxiety as the monsoon approaches.
In this context, it is crucial to urgently repair all damaged embankments before the coming monsoon season. In areas where the problem is severe, new embankments should also be constructed if necessary.
Delays in building or repairing embankments will not only increase the loss of life and property but will also negatively impact the national economy.
We believe that using advanced technology and large, tide-resistant blocks will enhance the durability of the embankments.
Once these are built, agricultural productivity in coastal areas will increase, fish farming will be protected, homes and lives will be safer, and ultimately, the economy will benefit.
With the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters due to climate change, building strong and sustainable embankments is not just a necessity—it is a matter of national security.
Therefore, the Water Development Board and relevant ministries must act swiftly to protect the country and its people.
