Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Sept 13, 2025 (BSS) - Khulna Deputy Commissioner Md Towfiqur Rahman today said the government has taken steps to remove waterlogging in the Beel Dakatia area, with the local administration and Water Development Board (WDB) working to find a sustainable solution as soon as possible.

He said this while visiting vast submerged areas of Beel Dakatia in Dumuria upazila of the district.

Ujjal Kumar Sen, Executive Engineer of WDB Khulna Division-1, Md Aminul Islam, Chief Engineer of WDB Khulna, and officials from the local administration were present.

The Deputy Commissioner said the administration is pursuing a three-phase plan - immediate relief by reducing water stagnation, mid-term measures, and a long-term permanent strategy.

He assured that the opinions of locals would be integrated with the technical plans of WDB to address the crisis.

During the visit, the DC spoke with flood-affected residents, community leaders and local journalists, and urged them to give recommendations to solve recurring waterlogging in Dumuria and Fultala.

Waterlogged residents also demanded urgent steps to alleviate their suffering.

Around 30,000 families in 40 villages under Rangpur, Raghunathpur, Dhamalia, Maguraghona, Kharnia, Atlia, Gutudia, and Dumuria unions of Dumuria upazila in Khulna are currently marooned due to waterlogging.

Since heavy rainfall on July 10 this year, vast areas have remained submerged, forcing residents to live in dire conditions.

The affected villages include Muzarghuta, Baransi, Saravita, Botbera, Krishnanagar, Derli, Bashirabad, Andulia, Komrail, Chechuri, Katenga, Tolna, Baruna, Gajendrapur, Ruprampur, Ramkrishnapur, Shantinagar, Ghona, Bilpatiyala, Madhabkathi, Mandra, Moinapur, Bilsinga, Ranai, Panchpota, Ghoshra, Badria, Aladipur, Atlia, Boyarshing, Adharmanik, Kharia, Komolpur, Gutudia, Patkelpota, Mirzapur, Hajidanga, Golna, Khalsi, Sajiara, and Araji Dumuria.

Locals said Dumuria goes under water every monsoon, devastating thousands of fish farms and destroying crops worth over Taka 100 crore.

At least seven unions are currently underwater, leaving residents severely affected.

Meanwhile, WDB Khulna sources informed that silt removal is ongoing from the mouth of Shailmari Gate to the Salta estuary at a cost of Taka 1.45 crore. The project, which began in early August, will continue throughout the rainy season. Once completed, it is expected to provide temporary relief by protecting ponds, fisheries, homes, and crops from damage.

In addition, a Taka 50 crore project for dredging 15.5 km of the Shailmari River, installing five high-capacity pumps, and re-excavating 24 canals is under feasibility study. Due to environmental clearance requirements, the survey may take another two months, after which it will be submitted to the Planning Ministry for approval and fund allocation.

Talking to BSS, Ujjal Kumar Sen, Executive Engineer of WDB Khulna Division-1, said the current dredging of the Shailmari River is being financed from revenue funds. He added that the mid- and long-term projects, including river dredging and canal re-excavation, will commence only after Planning Ministry approval.

"The short-term works have already started. The aim of all three phases is to eliminate waterlogging permanently," he added.

Md Aminul Islam, Chief Engineer of WDB Khulna, said emergency silt removal is underway to facilitate drainage through Shailmari Gate towards Upper Salta using two floating excavators and two long-boom excavators.

He hoped the water would recede quickly and further mentioned that the Tk 50 crore projects, which include river dredging, 26 canal re-excavations, and installation of five high-capacity pumps, are close to approval.

"Once implemented, this will provide a permanent solution to waterlogging in Dumuria," he added.