Unplanned sand extraction from the Padma River has triggered severe riverbank erosion in Sureshwar under Naria Upazila, Shariatpur, leading to the collapse of roughly 50 meters of the Padma Right Bank Protection Dam into the river. The erosion has also swallowed a portion of the 70-year-old traditional Sureshwar Fish Market. Panic-stricken traders are frantically dismantling their shops and moving merchandise, while local residents along the riverbanks prepare to relocate their homesteads.
The Water Development Board (WDB) confirmed that emergency dumping of sand-filled geo-bags into the river is underway to halt further erosion.
A visit to the spot on Friday (October 2) morning revealed that within a day of cracks appearing along the dam adjacent to Sureshwar Fish Market, about 50 meters of the embankment collapsed into the river early in the morning. Locals blamed strong near-shore currents combined with illegal and unplanned sand dredging from the riverbed for the sudden collapse.
Raju Bepari, a wholesaler at Sureshwar Fish Market, lamented, "Our situation is dire. Our wholesale market was standing yesterday; today it has been washed into the river. Where do we go now to run our businesses?"
Fish trader Awlad Sardar echoed similar grief, stating, "Our fish stalls have been swept away, threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of people. We have nowhere left to go."
Din Islam, a shopkeeper who has traded in Sureshwar Market for 25 years, remarked, "A market with over half a century of tradition has vanished into the river."
Wholesalers Shahjalal Mia, Saiful Islam, and Azizul Mulla reported that between 30 and 35 fish stalls in the historic 70-year-old market have been destroyed, forcing traders to conduct business out under the open sky.
Locals noted that panic has driven residents and merchants alike to dismantle and relocate shops and residential structures. Approximately 500 to 600 people in the Sureshwar area rely directly on the fish market for their livelihood, and all now face uncertainty regarding their economic survival.
Furthermore, critical infrastructure including the Sureshwar Launch Ghat, local mosques, madrasas, agricultural land, and residential homesteads are under immediate threat of erosion. Distressed locals and traders have demanded swift and permanent protective interventions.
On Friday morning, Dr. Mahmud Hossain Bakaul, Jamaat-e-Islami MP candidate for Shariatpur-2 and Secretary General of the National Doctors Forum, inspected the erosion-affected area. Speaking to journalists, he stated, "Strong river currents coupled with unchecked sand extraction from the riverbed caused this severe erosion." He urged authorities to immediately ban illegal sand dredging from the river.
Jasim Uddin, Sub-Assistant Engineer of Shariatpur District WDB, assured that sand-filled geo-bags are being dumped into the river on an emergency basis, adding that a permanent and durable embankment will be constructed during the upcoming dry season.
Abdul Hamid, Additional Chief Engineer of the WDB's Faridpur Region, also inspected the site on Friday morning. He informed reporters that higher authorities have been notified and active defense measures initiated, acknowledging that strong currents and sand extraction were likely contributing factors.
Notably, alongside the Padma Bridge Construction Project, the Shariatpur Water Development Board completed the construction of a 10.2-kilometer-long bank protection dam at a cost of BDT 1,403 crore in 2023 to safeguard the right bank of the Padma River.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Shariatpur Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
