Photo : BSS

MADARIPUR, June 30, 2026 (BSS) -As the monsoon is approaching, the rhythmic sound of saws and hammers has once again filled the boatyards of Madaripur, as skilled craftsmen are racing against time to build wooden boats before floodwaters surges.

From dawn until dusk, carpenters at Gobindapur and Char Gobindapur under Madaripur Sadar, are busy cutting timber, smoothing planks and assembling boats that remain an essential means of transport for thousands of people living in the low-lying areas.

Although improved road connectivity has reduced dependence on waterways over the years, boats continue to play a vital role during the rainy season in flood-prone parts of Kalkini, Dasar and Shibchar upazilas. Anticipating rising demand, local craftsmen have already begun building and stocking new boats ahead of the rain.

For Badal Hossain, a boat builder from Gobindapur, the arrival of the rains marks the busiest time of the year. For most of the year, he earns a living making household furniture and wooden structures. But as the monsoon draws near, his workshop shifts entirely to boat construction.

"A skilled craftsman can build one boat in a day," he said. "A wooden boat measuring eight to ten hands in length currently sells for between Taka 6,000 and 7,000. If the water level rises as expected, sales will increase further."

Yakub Molla, who has spent 23 years in the trade, said the seasonal demand for boats provides craftsmen with an opportunity to earn more than they do from regular woodworking jobs.

"Boat building during the monsoon season offers better income than many of our other carpentry works," he said. "It creates an important source of additional earning for our families."

Rows of newly built wooden boats have also become an attraction for local residents. Gias Uddin of the area noted that despite the expansion of road networks, boats remain indispensable in many villages during the rainy season.

"Road connectivity has improved significantly; however, when floodwaters rise, people in many areas still have to rely on boats for transportation,” he said. "The neatly lined-up new boats also attract many visitors," he added.

Timber trader Mostafa Hawlader, however, expressed his concern about the uncertainty surrounding this year's market.

"If rainfall is insufficient and prolonged water logging does not occur, demand for boats may remain low," he said adding "That could result in financial losses for the craftsmen."

Roman Sardar, a candidate for chairman of Khowajpur Union, reflected on the cultural significance of the craft.

"There was a time when boats were the primary means of transportation during the monsoon," he said. "Although their use has declined with the development of modern transport, they remain an enduring symbol of rural Bengal."

Madaripur Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Wadia Shabab said wooden boats represent more than a practical mode of transport.

"Boats are an important part of country’s heritage," she said. "To preserve this traditional craft, greater attention should be given to training artisans and providing them with incentives."
 
As wooden boats have significantly reduced over time, they continue to serve as a lifeline for residents of Madaripur's flood-prone communities during the monsoon. 

At the same time, local craftsmen continue to preserve a centuries-old tradition, ensuring that the art of wooden boat building remains afloat for future generations.