Zajira residents flee homes as part of Padma River embankment collapses

A 200-metre stretch of the embankment protecting the Padma Bridge construction yard reportedly collapsed on Saturday around noon, sparking panic among residents of Naodoba's Alamkha Kandi and Madbar Kandi areas in Zajira upazila of Shariatpur.

Due to the recent rise in the Padma River's water level over the past two weeks and strong currents, erosion has intensified at several points, according to locals and Water Development Board (WDB) sources.

WDB Executive Engineer Tareq Hasan told TBS, "Sediment has built up on the left bank of the Padma, reducing depth and pushing the main current toward the Zajira side. This channel is now much deeper and has strong currents that are attacking the bank, causing gradual erosion."

"Five temporary embankments were built in this area. Recent surveys confirmed that a 2-kilometre stretch is now at risk. We are using geo-bags as an emergency measure. A permanent riverbank protection project has been submitted to the water resources ministry and will begin once approved," he added.

As the embankment began collapsing, locals started relocating their homes and businesses. So far, at least five houses and two shops have been moved, and evacuation efforts continue in the surrounding areas.

Photo: TBS

Shiria Begum, a resident of Alamkha Kandi, said, "The embankment has crumbled right up to our doorstep. We have no choice but to move. While others celebrate Eid-ul-Adha with sweets and meat, we're busy saving what we can. I couldn't even give my children a piece of meat."

Idris Mia, a fruit vendor at Mongol Majhi Bazaar, added, "Part of the Mongol Majhi market has already gone into the river. There are over 200 shops here. If the water keeps rising and the erosion continues, we'll have nowhere to go—we might starve."

According to the Water Development Board (WDB) information, the embankment was originally constructed in FY13 at Tk110 crore to protect the Padma Bridge construction yard. Located on the Zajira side of the river, this area includes Service Area 2, a military base, Padma Bridge South Police Station, and other critical infrastructure. The embankment was later linked to river training structures built by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) to prevent erosion.

Last November, a 100-metre section of the embankment near Naodoba's zero point collapsed into the river. Subsequently, soil erosion was detected beneath another 100-metre section at Majhirghat.

Surveys by WDB and BBA revealed that the river has become significantly deeper along a 2-kilometre stretch of the embankment, making it highly vulnerable to further erosion. In response, 33,000 geo-bags filled with sand were dumped at the zero point area in May this year as a temporary measure.

Despite these efforts, a fresh 200-metre section near the same location collapsed into the river on Saturday.