48-metre stretch of Padma embankment develops cracks, threatening local fish market

Cracks have appeared along an approximately 48-metre stretch of the Padma River right-bank protection embankment near Sureswar Fish Ghat in Naria upazila of Shariatpur, raising concerns among residents and traders.

At least 48 businesses at the fish market are at risk of being lost to river erosion.

Six establishments have already been relocated, while the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) is placing sand-filled geobags along the vulnerable stretch to address the threat.

A bathymetric survey by the WDB has also detected signs of soil erosion on the riverbed at two other locations along the embankment, raising concerns about erosion risks across the area.

According to local sources, cracks recently developed in a section of the river protection embankment near Sureswar Fish Ghat.

The cracks have gradually widened, putting nearby businesses and structures at risk as several establishments have already been moved amid fears of further erosion, while other traders remain concerned about the situation.

BWDB engineers said water depth at various points in the Sureswar area had been increasing since the beginning of this year's monsoon season.

The board has been conducting regular surveys to monitor the condition of the riverbed.

Survey findings show that water depth in the area, which would normally range from three to seven metres, has now increased to between 18 and 30 metres.

The unusual change in river depth has caused soil to wash away from the riverbed, threatening the stability of the embankment.

To address the immediate risk, the BWDB has started placing sand-filled geobags along the affected section. It is also monitoring the riverbed and assessing the need for further preventive measures.

According to the Shariatpur BWDB office, the Padma River flows through several areas of Naria and Zajira upazilas, where river erosion has affected villages across 12 unions.

To protect the southern, or right, bank of the river, the BWDB constructed a 10.2-kilometre embankment stretching from Shafikajir Mor in Bilaspur, Zajira, to Sureswar Fish Ghat in Naria. The project cost Tk1,403 crore, and construction was completed in 2023, the BWDB adds.

Dadan Mia Sardar, a local fisherman and president of the fishermen's association in Sureswar, said a tiny crack was first noticed a few days ago, but it began widening on Wednesday afternoon (30 September).

"Cracks have appeared along a stretch of 60 to 70 feet. This section of the embankment has subsided by one to two feet. We, the fishermen and traders, are living in fear. This fish market has been operating for around 100 years and has a strong reputation. If it collapses, fishermen and fish traders like us will suffer," he said.

Local resident Monir Hossain said the area had experienced severe river erosion before 2018 and that the embankment had been built in response to longstanding public demand.

"We had been free from river erosion for the past two years, but cracks have suddenly appeared in the embankment again. The ground underneath is sinking. If the embankment collapses, it will no longer be possible for us to live along the riverbank," he said.

Sajal Parvez, sub-divisional engineer at the Shariatpur BWDB, said the Naria right-bank protection embankment was a crucial infrastructure project for the region.

"We regularly monitor the embankment through bathymetric surveys and take measures to protect it. The Padma is wide upstream but gradually narrows downstream, causing the river to erode its banks and wash away soil. Sureswar is experiencing the effects of this process," he said.

"We are urgently placing geobags to address the risks while continuing to monitor the situation through surveys. Further measures will be taken based on the survey findings," he added.