ঘূর্ণিঝড় ‘শক্তি’ নিয়ে উপকূলজুড়ে বাড়ছে আতঙ্ক — দুর্বল ভেড়িবাঁধে হুমকিতে ১৯ জেলার মানুষ

Cyclone ‘Shakti’ Triggers Widespread Panic Along Bangladesh Coast — Millions at Risk Due to Fragile Embankments in 19 Districts

S.M. Saiful Islam Kabir,  Sundarbans:
As an intense heatwave grips the southwestern coastal regions of Bangladesh—including nine upazilas such as Morelganj and Sharankhola in Bagerhat, near the world’s largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans—a new threat looms large: a possible powerful tropical cyclone forming over the Bay of Bengal.

Mustafa Kamal Palash, a weather and climate researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, warned in a Facebook post that a strong cyclone may form between May 24 and 28, potentially named ‘Shakti’, a name proposed by Sri Lanka.

According to Palash’s forecast, the cyclone may make landfall anywhere between India’s Odisha coast and Bangladesh’s Chattogram coast between May 24 and 26. However, the highest risk of landfall appears to be over West Bengal (India) and the Khulna coast of Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Weather Observation Team (BWOT) reports that a circulation may form over the Bay between May 16 and 18, which could gradually intensify into a depression, then a deep depression, and finally develop into a severe cyclonic storm.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has yet to issue an official alert regarding Cyclone Shakti but is closely monitoring the situation and will provide necessary warnings and instructions in due course.

Panic Spreads, Urgent Need for Preparedness

News of Cyclone ‘Shakti’ has sparked widespread fear among residents of 19 coastal districts in Bangladesh, especially in Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Barguna, Pirojpur, Bhola, Jhalokathi, Lakshmipur, Noakhali, Feni, Chandpur, Chattogram, and Cox’s Bazar.

Due to their repeated experiences with cyclones and tidal surges, coastal residents live in constant fear of devastation every time a new cyclone warning is issued. Many have yet to recover from the trauma and losses caused by past disasters.

Crippled Embankments Pose Deadly Threat

Residents have raised grave concerns about the dilapidated condition of the embankments managed by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). Built in 1967–68, many of these embankments have remained unrepaired for decades, rendering them extremely vulnerable to tidal surges and cyclone-induced flooding.

A senior BWDB engineer, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated:

“Constructing durable and sustainable embankments in coastal areas is highly expensive. It’s not possible to complete such projects with the regular annual budget allocations of the government. The government must immediately seek foreign funding, such as from JICA and other international donors.”

He further added:

“Temporary patchwork repairs every year will not provide a long-term solution. Unless strong, permanent embankments are built, coastal lives and livelihoods will remain at constant risk.”