Satkhira Administration Warns Fish Farm Owners Over Waterlogging Crisis

Continuous rainfall over the past 20 days has left Satkhira municipality and vast low-lying areas of Sadar upazila severely waterlogged, forcing residents to move around on rafts for daily necessities including shopping, feeding livestock, and taking children to school. Sanitation systems have collapsed, homes have been submerged, and waterborne diseases are spreading. 

Locals blamed the dysfunctional municipal drainage system and unplanned fish enclosures in the suburbs for worsening the crisis. Fish farmers claimed that heavy rains have washed away fish worth crores of taka from more than 200 enclosures, while 6,000 hectares of Aus paddy and vegetable fields have been inundated. Acting officer of Satkhira Meteorological Office, Julfikar Ali Ripon, said that 464 millimeters of rainfall were recorded in the district between July 1 and 6 am on July 20.

Joint member secretary of the District Citizens’ Committee Alinur Khan Babul said unplanned urbanization and illegal fish enclosures inside the municipality have blocked water flow, leaving one-third of the town submerged. He added that lack of proper drainage and encroachment on rivers and canals have caused prolonged suffering, with thousands of families trapped in flooded areas.

Local residents like Jobeda Khatun of Baddipur Colony described years of hardship, with cooking, schooling, and basic living disrupted by recurring waterlogging. Another resident Shahinur Rahman reported that skin diseases are spreading due to stagnant, contaminated water resulting from the water-logging.

Dr. Alhaj Abul Kalam Babla, vice-president of the District Citizens’ Rights Development Committee, blamed unauthorized construction and indiscriminate fish farming for the crisis, urging deep canal excavation and removal of nets and barriers to restore water flow. District Primary Education Officer Ruhul Amin said 63 primary schools across the district, including 20 in Ashashuni, 10 in Kalaroa, one in Tala, 12 in Shyamnagar, and 20 in Sadar upazila, are waterlogged. All furniture has been submerged, making classes difficult, though teachers continue despite hardships.

District Fisheries Officer GM Selim confirmed that over 200 fish enclosures have been washed away, causing losses estimated at crores of taka. District Agriculture Extension Deputy Director Saiful Islam reported damage to 6,000 hectares of Aus paddy and rotting of vegetable fields due the flood and waterlogging.

Satkhira Deputy Commissioner Kawsar Aziz said cleanup operations are underway, including removal of nets obstructing water flow. She warned fish enclosure owners against blocking canals for shrimp farming, urging them to dismantle illegal barriers immediately. “If evidence is found of obstructing canal water flow, strict legal action will be taken,” she said.