18 years after Sidr, fear persists as cracks appear in Bagerhat's embankment

For four decades — from 1985 through 2025 — cyclones have been synonymous with fear for coastal communities.

But the super cyclone Sidr (15 November 2007) left behind a wound so deep that even after 18 years it has not healed.

People still have not forgotten the 15-foot tidal surge, the thousands of lives lost, and the terrifying scenes of everything being swept away that day.

Adding to that trauma is the renewed fear of embankment collapse. Cracks, subsidence, and displaced concrete blocks have appeared in sections of the so-called "sustainable" embankment (CIP project) built in the coastal areas of Sharankhola and Morrelganj in Bagerhat—even before the project has been formally handed over.

At least 15 kilometres of the embankment are now at extreme risk, with locals fearing a major disaster due to erosion by the Baleshwar River.

A visit to Bogi, Gabtala, Dakshin Khalil, Amtala and Fasiatla areas in Sharankhola and Morrelganj revealed long cracks along different parts of the embankment, with some concrete blocks slipping and falling into the river.

The very embankment meant to protect lives and property during natural disasters has now become a source of fresh panic.

Rafiqul Islam, a fisherman from Bogi, said, "I can never forget the night of Sidr. Now when I hear that the embankment has cracks, I can't sleep at night. If this embankment collapses, our village will cease to exist."

Masuma Begum, a homemaker from Southkhali, said, "We warned them back then that a structure made with so many sandbags wouldn't last. Now we can clearly see the embankment is weak. We are terrified everything will wash away again."

Md Abdullah Al Mamun, executive engineer of the Bagerhat Water Development Board, said, "We have inspected the erosion-affected areas. The causes of the damage are being identified. River management, installation of stronger blocks, and other necessary measures are underway. We are working toward a permanent solution for the vulnerable sections."

However, locals say assurances are no longer enough—visible action on the ground is now urgently needed.

In 2007, Sidr alone claimed 908 lives in Bagerhat. More than 150,000 houses, roads, embankments and croplands in Sharankhola and Morrelganj were destroyed. Since then, coastal residents have had one major demand: a strong and durable embankment.

Eighteen years later, although that demand has finally been met, the same embankment is once again on the verge of collapse.