Dumuria: Authorities have opened the Kalighat sluice gate in Dumuria upazila of Khulna to ease severe waterlogging in Beel Dakatia and adjoining areas. Hundreds of villagers from Rangpur, Rudaghora, Raghunathpur, Lata union under Dumuria, and nearby Fulltala upazilas joined voluntary efforts on Monday to clear water hyacinths and remove blockages obstructing natural water flow in canals.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Dumuria Aprotim Kumar Chakraborty, who is also the convener of the Water Drainage Committee, supervised the activities along with Water Development Board (WDB) Sub-Divisional Engineer Md Atikur Rahman and other committee members. The Mayur River is now being used as an alternative outlet for drainage from Beel Dakatia, allowing water to flow into the Shailmari River after the sluice gates were opened.
Authorities have been operating two high-capacity submersible pumps to reduce waterlogging. However, heavy rains this year led to vast areas of Dumuria and Fulltala being submerged, leaving thousands of families waterlogged for nearly two months. Committee member Prof GM Aman Ullah stated that clearing water hyacinths from Kalighat sluice to Lata Bridge has significantly improved water flow, and illegal fishing nets blocking canals are set to be removed within two days.
After a day-long cleanup, the sluice gates were partially opened on Monday afternoon. “Large-scale water discharge has begun, and the process will continue round the clock,” said WDB’s Md Atikur Rahman, adding that eviction drives against illegal obstructions would also continue. Earlier, on August 22, WDB Director General Engr Md Enayet Ullah visited Beel Dakatia and announced a government feasibility study for a long-term solution, which includes dredging of the Shailmari River, excavation of 24 canals, and integration with ongoing projects to mitigate waterlogging in Bhobodah and adjoining areas.
WDB Chief Engineer Md Aminul Islam confirmed that the Kalighat sluice was opened as per the DG’s directive. Waterlogging has been a recurring crisis in Beel Dakatia since 1988, and over the past two years, the situation has worsened, affecting nearly 30,000 families in Dumuria and Fulltala. Several ongoing and proposed projects, including dredging, pump installation, and canal excavation, aim to ensure a lasting solution.