Rough Meghna, risky crossing: Char residents have no choice

CHAR FASSON, BHOLA, Aug 18: The Meghna and Tentulia rivers have turned rough amid heavy rain and gusty winds, but residents of Char Fasson’s remote char areas continue to cross the dangerous waterways for work, healthcare and essential supplies.

Despite cautionary signals being issued at river ports due to the inclement weather, people from Char Kukri-Mukri, Char Momtaz and Dhalchar are regularly travelling by engine-powered boats from Kachhpia Ghat.

A visit to the ghat showed large waves rolling across the river as passengers boarded wooden trawlers and speedboats in heavy rain. Men, women, children and elderly people were seen using polythene sheets to protect themselves from the rain.

Several boats were carrying passengers and goods beyond their capacity. Many passengers were travelling without life jackets or other basic safety equipment.

Abdur Rahman, a resident of Char Kukri-Mukri, said the residents had no option but to risk crossing the river.

“We know the river is rough, but we cannot stay at home. There is no major hospital in the char. We have to come to Kachhpia for emergency medical treatment and to sell our crops at the market. Without crossing the river, our lives come to a standstill,” he said.

Residents of Char Momtaz and Dhalchar also said they have to cross the waterways for daily shopping, official work, medical treatment and livelihood activities.

Locals alleged that some boat operators and leaseholders take advantage of the bad weather by carrying excessive numbers of passengers for higher profits.

They said small boats often sway dangerously in the waves while crossing the rough Bharani canal and the Meghna, raising the risk of accidents.

The waterway is the only means of communication with the mainland for hundreds of thousands of people living in the isolated chars.

Local residents urged the Coast Guard and administration to strengthen monitoring of boat operations during bad weather. They also demanded adequate life jackets and strict action against overloading.

They said the government should introduce safer and more modern vessels to ensure secure transportation for people living in the remote chars.

Without stronger safety measures, locals fear that a major accident could occur at any time, particularly during periods of severe weather.