RAJBARI, June 23: Hundreds of families at risk as the mighty Padma River continues to devour riverbanks in Goalanda Upazila of the district, triggering urgent emergency response measures to protect the Daulatdia ferry terminal and nearby settlements.
The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has launched emergency dumping operations in a bid to halt severe erosion caused by strong currents and upstream water flow, which have already washed away several homesteads in the area.
Officials said the erosion has intensified over the past several days, putting the ferry terminal and adjacent residential areas under serious threat.
Executive Engineer of Rajbari BWDB, Taznimur Rahman, said on Tuesday that nearly 600 feet of riverbank along the Daulatdia ferry terminal area has been severely affected. He said around 300 families are now facing the risk of displacement as the river continues to advance inland.
He added that emergency protection work was initiated on Monday afternoon, focusing on safeguarding the ferry terminal, nearby settlements and critical infrastructure, including Ferry Ghat No. 7.
As part of the emergency intervention, around 32,000 sand-filled geo-bags and sandbags are being dumped into the river to strengthen the eroding embankment and reduce the force of the current on the vulnerable shoreline.
BWDB officials said the large-scale dumping operation is expected to significantly reduce the risk of further erosion once completed. It will also help ensure uninterrupted ferry services at one of the country’s busiest river routes, alongside protecting homes and public infrastructure in the surrounding areas.
The emergency work was formally inaugurated in the presence of Executive Engineer Taznimur Rahman, Goalanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sathi Das, members of the Daulatdia ghat management committee, and leaders of the BNP ferry terminal development coordination committee.
Local residents welcomed the swift response from authorities, saying timely action was crucial to prevent further displacement and loss of property.
Many residents, however, expressed concern that recurring erosion in the area requires a more permanent and long-term solution rather than repeated emergency interventions.
