United News of Bangladesh

A vulnerable embankment along the Atai River in Dighalia upazila of Khulna district has sparked fears of flooding in 10 villages following days of heavy rainfall and high tidal surges. The affected section located between Mominpur and Hajigram villages is part of Kamargati–Pather Bazar road which once served as a key transport route connecting several villages with Khulna city through Daulatpur. Over the past decade, continuous riverbank erosion has washed away nearly two-thirds of the road, leaving the remaining portion to function as a flood protection embankment. Residents now use an alternative road for communication. Locals said the recent heavy rains and rising tidal waters have severely weakened the embankment. Water began overtopping the structure, causing large cracks and raising fears of an imminent breach. Sensing the danger, villagers gathered on Friday evening after the tide receded and carried out emergency repairs using bamboo and earth under floodlights to temporarily reinforce the embankment. However, they said the risk remains high.