Silt in 57 rivers hampers navigation in Netrakona

Construction of dams without proper planning and lack of dredging have caused the situation.

Various river routes are being closed down gradually due to emergence of innumerable shoals in river beds. Now farmers cultivate crops in the river beds.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Once the rivers were very deep and carried enough water required for smooth plying of launches and steamers. But now due to silt the rivers have become unfit for plying vessels.

Netrakona is a low-lying area. There are 28 canals in 10 upazilas here. Boats and engine boats are common mode of transport during the rainy season. But after the rainy season the canals dry up. At that time people depend on foot or rickshaws to go elsewhere.

Netrakona town is situated on the bank of the Mogra. The river has joined the Meghna after flowing through Purbadhala, Atpara, Netrakona Sadar and Madan upazilas. But it is now virtually a dead river due to lack of water.

The Sumeshowary, another major river comes down from Meghalayas of India flowing through the hilly Durgapur upazila. Once the Sumeshowary used to flow with strong current. But due to withdrawal of water in the upper catchment, silt has developed weakening its might. Normal depth of the river has also decreased. In dry season, the river becomes waterless. In the rainy season hilly waters rolling down from the Maghalayas creates flash flood here regularly. So, the Sumeshowary is now called the sorrow of Netrakona.

Innumerable shoals have appeared in the riverbed of Donu, another major river here. The river is now unfit for river transport.

Others rivers like the Shaiduli, the Gumai, the Natai, the Ubdakhali, the Kalihoara, and the Ghorauttra have also turned into canals.

Because of this phenomenon, fishes of various species have become extinct in the district while it was once famous for fish resources.

Locals have appealed to the authorities concerned to dredge the rivers to revive the lost glory of the rivers.