Tidal flooding leaves thousands marooned at Bauphal

BAUPHAL, PATUAKHALI, July 18: Thousands of people have been left stranded by tidal flooding in two unions of Bauphal Upazila after rising water in the Tentulia River inundated vast areas, with residents alleging that a costly riverbank protection project has failed to prevent flooding.

The flooding has affected most parts of Dhulia and Chandradwip unions, where around 13,000 people are facing severe hardship as tidal water continues to enter residential areas.

In Chandradwip Union alone, almost every village is flooded during high tide, affecting around 8,000 families, according to local residents.

A visit to the area found that a nearly 6km block revetment, constructed by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) at a cost of Tk 712 crore to protect the riverbank in Dhulia Union, was completely submerged during high tide. Only the yellow signboards marking the structure remained visible above the water.

Residents said the revetment was built lower than the peak tidal level of the Tentulia River, allowing water to flow over it whenever the river rises.

"The project has failed to serve its purpose," said local resident Sharif Tausifur Rahman Rafa. "Despite spending hundreds of crores of taka, the revetment cannot protect riverside communities because it is lower than the tidal water level."

Several educational institutions, including NK Government Primary School, Barujibipara Government Primary School, Dhulia Dakhil Madrasa, and Mathbaria AGT Junior Secondary School, have been inundated, disrupting classes and preventing students from attending school.

The grave of Language Movement veteran Syed Ashraf Hossain, along with several mosques and temples, has also gone under water.
Residents of Chandradwip said they have long been living at the mercy of tides due to the absence of a permanent embankment.
Former Union Parishad member Afroza Begum said people have to wait for low tide to go to work or send their children to school during the monsoon.

She called for the construction of a durable embankment to protect the union from recurring tidal flooding.
Continuous rainfall and the rising river have also disrupted fishing, the main livelihood for many residents of the two unions. Fishermen have been unable to venture into the river, while floodwater has entered kitchens in many homes, leaving families unable to cook for several days.

Bauphal Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saleh Ahmed said the affected areas would be inspected and emergency government assistance and relief would be distributed among flood-hit families.