Hundreds of impoverished families in East Dumuria, Shyamnagar, Satkhira, are facing a new crisis—not from storms or floods, but from human activity. Soil from a canal dredging project by the Water Development Board has been dumped on homes, yards, gardens, and farms, forcing the demolition of some houses and shops. Contractors reportedly collected 4,000–6,000 taka from affected families. This report is part of the final episode on coastal water shortage by Sushanta Singha, captured through the lens of Richard Purification.

The dredging has worsened the scarcity of drinking water. Many residents who rely on collected rainwater for cooking and drinking now find their storage areas filled with soil. Fruit trees such as coconut, mango, and date palms have also been destroyed, further compounding the community’s struggle.

Previously, residents in Gabura Union depended on freshwater sources like the “Drishtinandan” pond for survival. A year ago, a purification pump was installed, but many families cannot afford filtered water and continue to rely on the pond. Despite its importance, government initiatives to protect or renovate this vital water source have been minimal.

The construction of new embankments, instead of repairing existing ones, has left the pond, a cyclone shelter, a mosque, and a madrasa outside protection. Locals fear that during future natural disasters, saline water could flood the pond, rendering it unusable for drinking.

Overall, canal dredging and inadequate development planning have left the area in near ruin, worsening freshwater shortages and increasing the hardships of residents already living amidst saline water from surrounding shrimp farms.