Villagers in Dighalia upazila of Khulna district have carried out emergency repairs to a vulnerable Atai River embankment after days of heavy rainfall and unusually high tidal surges raised concerns that a collapse could leave more than 10 villages underwater.
The damaged stretch lies between Mominpur and Hajigram villages in Dighalia upazila, along the Atai River. Once part of the Kamargati–Pather Bazar road, the route previously served as an important transport link connecting several communities with Khulna City through Daulatpur.
Years of riverbank erosion have dramatically altered the area. Local people say the Atai River has steadily washed away much of the road since 2013, leaving only a narrow section that now serves as an informal flood defence. An alternative road has since become the main route for local travel.
Following several days of persistent rainfall, combined with strong tidal flows, the remaining embankment has come under increasing pressure.
Residents reported that water began flowing over parts of the structure, and large cracks appeared along the surface, fuelling fears that the barrier could fail.
On Friday evening, after the tide receded, villagers gathered with bamboo, soil and other materials to reinforce the weakened section. Working under floodlights, they carried out temporary repairs in an effort to prevent further erosion and reduce the immediate danger.
Despite those efforts, many residents believe the embankment remains at serious risk.
If the structure gives way, communities including Kalia, Tero Khada, Gazirhat, Kola, Arua, Ambariya, Kamargati, Lakhoyati, Madhabpur, Radhamadhabpur, Nandan Pratap, Barakpur and Mominpur could experience widespread flooding. Hundreds of homes, fish farms and agricultural land would also be at risk, with potential financial losses running into millions.
Sirajul Islam, a resident of the area, said, "The damaged section had originally been built as a road rather than a flood protection embankment.”
He also said, "Years of erosion had gradually transformed it into the area’s primary barrier against rising river water, making it the most vulnerable location during this year’s monsoon season.”
He questioned the effectiveness of previous river protection projects, alleging that public funds had repeatedly been spent on temporary erosion control works, including the placement of geo-bags nearby, without delivering a lasting solution for local communities.
Another resident, Hafizur Rahman, said, "Villagers had managed to hold back the water for now by strengthening the embankment with bamboo and earth.”
However, he warned that the temporary repairs might not withstand further pressure and called for the construction of a permanent flood defence.
Local authorities said the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has already begun taking steps to address the situation.
Dighalia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sujan Das Gupta said, "Engineers had assessed the site and concluded that temporary repairs alone were unlikely to withstand the force of the water, particularly while nearby fish enclosures remain inundated.”
He said again that the matter had been raised with the local Member of Parliament and discussed with BWDB engineers as well as officials from the relevant ministry. He added that he had personally visited the affected area.
According to the UNO, officials have assured local authorities that efforts will be made to develop a permanent solution rather than relying solely on short-term emergency measures.
For now, residents remain on alert as they monitor river levels, hoping the temporary repairs will hold until more durable flood protection can be put in place.
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