Poor planning by Patuakhali Water Development Board leaves 75,000 residents in nine villages facing chronic waterlogging and pollution
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Approximately 75,000 residents across nine villages in Patuakhali Sadar and Dumki Upazilas are grappling with severe waterlogging and environmental pollution due to the mismanagement of the Moukaran Canal. For nearly two decades, poor planning regarding the canal’s excavation and the construction of adjacent embankments have obstructed water flow, leading to stagnant, foul-smelling water in the dry season and persistent flooding during the monsoons.
The crisis stems from a 2008 project implemented by the Patuakhali Water Development Board (PWDB). Although land was acquired to excavate a canal 1,000 feet long and 100 feet wide, officials narrowed the actual excavation to between 30 and 40 feet. Additionally, the construction of undersized box culverts and a narrow sluice gate has significantly restricted the natural drainage capacity of the canal.
The affected areas include Moukaran and Sreerampur villages in Patuakhali Sadar, along with Lebukhali, Kartikpasha, Purbo Kartikpasha, Athargachia, Sreerampur, Kalikapur, and Jamla in Dumki Upazila. Local residents report that the stagnant water, compounded by waste dumping from nearby farms and households, has become a health hazard, causing illness among both people and livestock.
Farmers in the region face significant economic losses, as nearly 80 percent of agricultural land has been submerged. Between April and August, rainwater remains trapped because it cannot flow into the Payra River, leaving roads, homes, and crops underwater. Furthermore, local commerce has been disrupted, as the restricted channel prevents cargo-carrying trawlers and boats from reaching the Moukaran Bazar docks.
Former Union Parishad member Delwar Hossain stated that the PWDB deviated from its original plans, creating a faulty drainage system that rendered the surrounding villages vulnerable. He argued that the current crisis could be mitigated by properly re-excavating the canal according to the original specifications and upgrading the box culvert.
The outgoing Executive Engineer of the Patuakhali PWDB, Md. Rakib, acknowledged that the canal’s reduced depth and diminished flow capacity are primary drivers of the ongoing waterlogging. He indicated that the agency is planning to re-excavate the canal and implement necessary corrective measures within the current fiscal year.
Kazi Samsur Rahman, General Secretary of the Patuakhali chapter of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN), criticized the agency’s planning failures and urged authorities to prioritize a swift resolution to end the long-standing hardship faced by the local community.
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