Residents in Satkhira’s Shyamnagar warn that an illegal drainage pipe cut through a coastal embankment for a sand depot could weaken vital flood defenses and endanger climate-vulnerable communities nearby.
Bangladesh has an extensive network of coastal embankments and polders built to protect low-lying areas from cyclones, tidal surges and saline intrusion. Experts warn that unauthorized alterations to these protective structures could significantly increase the vulnerability of coastal communities already facing the impacts of climate change. Concern is growing among coastal residents after a section of a protective embankment in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district was reportedly punctured to install a drainage pipe for a sand depot raising fears about the safety of the coastal protection system.
Local residents said the work began around 10 to 12 days ago in Kupot village south of Nawabeki ferry ghat near Zaman Bricks. The pipe was installed by puncturing the embankment within Polder No. 5, part of the coastal embankment network designed to protect communities from tidal surges, flooding and river erosion.
Residents including Jahirul Islam and Swarajit Mondal said they live along the bank of the Kholpetua River where erosion frequently threatens the embankment. They warned that any damage or alteration to the structure could increase the risk of flooding and disaster for nearby communities.
According to villagers, Bangladesh’s High Court has issued directives prohibiting the cutting or puncturing of coastal embankments for shrimp farming or other commercial activities due to the potential risk to public safety.
They alleged that about 10 to 12 days ago a person identified as Sohel Taj installed a 10-inch pipe through the embankment to drain water from a newly established sand depot. The pipe was reportedly placed after cutting part of the embankment and excavating nearby char land.
Villagers further claimed that when they attempted to protest the work they were threatened with being implicated in false extortion cases.
Responding to the allegations, Sohel Taj said he had leased land inside the embankment area to establish the sand depot. He explained that sand transported from the river often contains water and that the pipe was installed to drain excess water so that it would not flood nearby roads or residential areas.
He insisted that the pipe would not damage the embankment and said other sand traders in the area had also installed similar pipes in nearby char lands.
Suman Roy, sub-assistant engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board responsible for Polder No. 5, said he had not previously been informed about the matter.
“There is no scope for puncturing an embankment in this way,” Roy said. “We are sending personnel to inspect the site. If the allegation is proven true necessary action will be taken.”
Environmental activists say such actions pose serious risks in Bangladesh’s climate-vulnerable coastal belt.
“Coastal embankments are lifelines for millions of people in Bangladesh. Any illegal modification to these structures not only violates court directives but also increases the risk of disaster for already climate-vulnerable communities,” said Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global.
