Even during high tide, Kobadak-Shibsa flow remains low

The existence of the Kobadak and Shibsa rivers in Paikgachha upazila of the district is in perilous state as they are drying up very fast, reports UNB.

 

The banks of the Shibsa have shrunk into a canal along a five kilometer area from Sadar upazila’s Shibbati Bridge up to Haria Chaumuhuni for ceaseless drying.

 

Even during high tide, water flow of the rivers remains low like that at the time of ebb while during ebb the rivers completely dry up causing disruption in plying of water vessels.

 

None can explain the exact reason behind the current state of the two important rivers.

 

However, sources at Water Development Board (WDB) linked the rapid drying of the rivers, once lifeline of the upazila, to fall in their water flow upstream and construction of two bridges over the two rivers.

 

Sadar upazila is encircled by the Kobadak and Shibsa on its three sides.

 

The Kobadak runs along the south-western side while the Shibsa flows on the south-eastern side.

 

Both the rivers have widely contributed to the development of trade and commerce of the region.

 

Once when the two rivers were in their normal streams, launches and steamers used to ply them in considerable numbers.

 

Both the rivers were then important means of waterway communication and goods carrying.

 

Fishing in the rivers was a source of livelihood for hundreds of families in the upazila.

 

Now all types of their income based no the rivers have stopped for unusually low flow of their waters.

 

In a span of the last one year, both the rivers have dried up almost completely.

 

It is possible to cross both the rivers on foot even during tide.

 

Navigability has been lost mostly at the five kilometer stretch of the Shibsa from Sadar upazila’s Shibbati Bridge up to Haria Chaumuhuni keeping the river’s existence under threat.

 

The deplorable condition of the two rivers has pushed the local people into severe problems.

 

Locals fear that if waters of the two rivers cannot flow, entire Paikgachha would have to face severe water logging.

 

They even fear that their embankments will break apart and water will enter inside.