Strong Meghna Current Erodes Bhola Town Protection Embankment

Bhola town protection embankment has come under serious threat as strong currents in the Meghna River, intensified by the monsoon and continuous rainfall, have triggered severe erosion along the Ilisha section. Large stretches of concrete (CC) blocks have collapsed, raising concerns over the stability of the embankment, local sources said here today. A visit to the affected area on Sunday revealed extensive erosion around the Ilisha launch terminal. Key facilities including the ferry terminal, launch terminal and fish landing centre are being gradually swallowed by the river. Several important installations at the launch terminal have already been closed causing significant inconvenience to passengers.

Residents of the area fear the erosion could spread to wider sections of the embankment unless immediate measures are taken. Business owners and families living along the riverbank at Ilisha are spending anxious days, fearing that their homes and livelihoods could be lost to the river at any moment.

Located on the banks of the Meghna in Bhola Sadar Upazila, the Ilisha launch and ferry terminal is one of the district's busiest river transport hubs. Every day, 15 to 20 launches carry thousands of passengers between Bhola and Dhaka, Bhola and Lakshmipur, as well as other inland river routes. The erosion began in the early hours of July 14 after an abnormal rise in river pressure and stronger currents. Over the past several days, hundreds of CC blocks covering nearly two kilometers in four tiers have disappeared into the river. Authorities have also identified major cracks along an additional half-kilometer stretch, increasing fears of further collapse.

Local hotel owner Md Shahjahan, tea stall operator Alauddin, grocery trader Anwar Hossain and stationery shop owner Parimal Kanti, among others, said continued erosion would leave them with no option but to abandon their businesses and homes. They urged the authorities to take immediate and effective measures to stop the riverbank erosion.

The collapse of the CC blocks has also disconnected the pontoon at the Ilisha launch terminal. As a result, the terminal authority has suspended passenger boarding and disembarking and relocated the pontoon, adding to the suffering of the commuters. Leaseholder of the Ilisha launch terminal Luku Chowdhury said that launches are no longer able to berth at the terminal because part of the terminal area has already been washed away by the river. He said both passengers and terminal operators are suffering heavy losses.

As erosion continues to intensify, panic has spread throughout the terminal area. Shops and commercial establishments in vulnerable locations are being moved to safer places. Residents of the unions of Ilisha, Rajapur and Kachia, situated outside the embankment, have also expressed growing concern and demanded to take urgent intervention to prevent further damage.

According to local sources, the Ilisha terminal area is one of Bhola's most important transport and commercial centres, housing the district's main ferry terminal, launch terminal, fish landing centre and several public and private establishments. Continued erosion could seriously disrupt transport, trade and settlements along the riverbank, residents warned.

Nirmal Kumar Roy, Regional Port Officer of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), said that the matter had been officially reported to higher authorities. Following their instructions, pontoons were removed from the affected area on Sunday morning and are being relocated and repaired. Executive Engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board Zia Uddin Arif said officials had inspected the damaged site and that emergency geo-bag dumping would be carried out in vulnerable areas to contain the erosion.

Abu Noman, a resident of Ilisha Union and headmaster of Gazipur Secondary School, said CC blocks collapse had occurred at the same location several times in 2023 and 2024. He warned that unless prompt and effective action is taken, the erosion could spread to other sections of the Bhola town protection embankment. He called for the implementation of a long-term river management project instead of temporary measures.