A section of the Padma River’s right-bank embankment near the Sureswar Fish Market in Naria upazila, Shariatpur, collapsed on Thursday evening, causing significant disruption to local businesses and raising concerns about further erosion. Approximately 48 meters of the protective structure gave way around 7 p.m., forcing 18 wholesale fish traders to relocate their operations and threatening nearby homes and commercial establishments.

The collapse occurred adjacent to the historic Sureswar Fish Ghat, a key site for the regional fish trade. The failure has generated alarm among more than 200 traders and residents in the area, many of whom depend on the market for their livelihoods. Several individuals reported having to move their businesses multiple times in recent years due to continued riverbank erosion.

Shafiqul Islam, a fish trader at the market, expressed frustration over the embankment’s failure. He said he had initially felt reassured by the protection wall but now faces uncertainty about where to move his goods and how to sustain his business. Local residents noted that ongoing erosion has already led to the loss of homes and enterprises along the riverbank, heightening fears that further damage could force widespread displacement.

Al Amin, a nearby resident, emphasized the precarious situation of the community, underscoring the direct link between the market’s stability and residents’ ability to remain in their homes. “If the market is lost, we won’t be able to stay in our homes either,” he said, calling on authorities to take immediate action to safeguard the embankment.

In response, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has initiated emergency measures, including the placement of sand-filled geobags to stabilize the damaged section and curb additional erosion. Milton Hossain, executive engineer for BWDB’s Shariatpur office, warned that roughly one kilometer of the embankment in the Sureswar area remains vulnerable. “We are closely monitoring the situation and executing urgent repairs to prevent further collapse,” he stated.

The embankment forms part of the Padma River Right Bank Protection Project in Naria, a significant infrastructure effort completed in 2023 at a cost of Tk1,403 crore. It spans 10.2 kilometers and was intended to shield the region from flooding and riverbank degradation. The recent breach raises questions about the embankment’s durability and the challenges of managing river erosion in the area. Authorities continue to assess the damage and coordinate relief for the affected traders and residents.