Tidal waters from the Dhaki River flooded eight villages in Khulna’s Dacope upazila last Tuesday night. The breach affected 20,000 residents. A severe Bangladesh Khulna flood food water crisis emerged. Officials reported the incident at 4:35 PM on Monday, August 25, 2025.
This event underscores the fragility of Bangladesh’s southwestern coast. Rising sea levels and erratic monsoons threaten millions. Such Bangladesh Khulna floods 8 villages incidents disrupt agriculture. They strain regional food supplies in South Asia. Neighbouring India and beyond feel ripple effects through migration and trade.
Embankment Collapse Triggers Bangladesh Khulna Floods 8 Villages
A 150-foot section of the Water Development Board embankment in Botbunia collapsed around midnight on August 19. Strong currents from the Dhaki River caused the failure. The site sits in Tildanga Union, Polder No 31. High tides during the full moon amplified the surge.
Water rushed into low-lying areas. Villages like Uttar Kaminibasia, Botbunia, Nishankhali, Arakhali, Dakkhin Kaminibasia, Bhadla Bunia, Mashamari, and Gorkhali submerged. Kakra Bunia faced partial inundation. Homes turned into islands. Residents waded through knee-deep water to salvage belongings.
Nearly 1,000 families marooned. Over 20,000 people lost access to dry land. The flood hit during the Aman paddy harvest season. Farmers watched crops drown. Initial damage hit 15 bighas of fields. Another 302 bighas risked total loss without quick action.
Local leaders mobilised. Tildanga Union Parishad Chairman Md Jalal Uddin Gazi led early response. “The embankment gave way due to high tidal pressure,” Gazi said. Residents used sandbags and geo-tubes for temporary plugs. Noon tides washed efforts away. Workers paused as water rose.
Khulna Water Development Board teams arrived by Wednesday. They faced challenges. Strong currents eroded the site. Soil shortages delayed dumping. Local farmers resisted soil collection from their fields. “We seek cooperation to complete repairs fast,” said Executive Engineer Md Ashraful Alam.
By Friday, crews sealed the breach. They used manpower, materials, and reinforced bags. The fix held against evening tides. Most of the 302 bighas of paddy survived. Officials hailed the two-day turnaround.
Deputy Commissioner Md Toufikur Rahman visited Botbunia on Thursday. He assessed damage. Rahman distributed relief to 280 families. Packages included dry food, rice, lentils, oil, jaggery, and spices. “All measures are in place to restore normalcy,” Rahman assured.
Bangladesh Khulna Flood Food Water Crisis Deepens
The Bangladesh Khulna floods 8 villages exposed stark vulnerabilities. Residents reported empty wells and contaminated sources. Saline intrusion ruined drinking water. Families rationed supplies from boats. Children suffered most. Malnutrition risks rose.
Food stocks spoiled in flooded homes. Fish enclosures collapsed. Losses reached several lakh taka. Vegetable gardens washed out. Farmers like Roben Bala lost homestead produce. “We took shelter at a neighbour’s,” Bala said. His family survived on shared rice.
Prokash Bala echoed the despair. “We do not want repeated breaches. Build sustainable structures,” he urged. Over 1,000 families relocated belongings as waters receded briefly. Many slept on raised platforms. The Bangladesh Khulna flood food water crisis hit hardest in remote hamlets.
Nazrul Islam, Deputy Director of Agricultural Extension in Khulna, tallied losses. “Damage expanded from 12 to 15 bighas by afternoon,” Islam noted. He warned of broader impacts. Without aid, harvest yields could drop 20 per cent in Dacope. This threatens local markets.
Health officials monitored outbreaks. Stagnant water bred mosquitoes. Diarrhoea cases spiked. The Upazila administration compiled victim lists. They aim for government compensation. Vegetable seeds head to affected farmers for quick replanting.
Relief agencies joined. The Dacope Upazila Nirbahi Officer coordinated drops. Boats ferried water purifiers and dry rations. Yet gaps persist. Residents in Nishankhali queued for hours. “Water tastes of salt,” said one mother.
The crisis links to climate patterns. Monsoon rains swelled the Dhaki. Embankments from the 1960s weakened over decades. Cyclone Amphan in 2020 eroded foundations. Riverbed deepening accelerated breaches. Experts call for modern designs with dredging.
Impacts on Livelihoods
Paddy fields cover 200 bighas in the zone. Floods submerged thousands of hectares temporarily. Fish farmers lost enclosures. Annual incomes fell by BDT 500,000 in spots. Women bore extra burdens. They fetched water over long distances.
Schools closed for days. Children missed classes. Roads turned impassable. Emergency services used motorboats. The Bangladesh Khulna flood food water crisis strained resources. It highlighted gaps in early warnings.
Background
Khulna division faces recurrent floods. The Sundarbans buffer tides, but polders fail often. Past events displaced thousands. In 2024, similar breaches hit Paikgasa. Government spent BDT 100 million on repairs then. The National Plan for Disaster Management 2021-2025 prioritises coastal resilience. Yet funding lags.
Data from the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre shows rising incidents. Tides hit 5.5 metres last week. Average yields in Dacope hover at 4 tonnes per hectare. Floods cut that by half. South Asia watches as Bangladesh tests adaptation models.
What’s Next
Repairs continue on vulnerable points. The Water Development Board plans geo-tube reinforcements. Officials eye permanent dredging by 2026. Aid flows for the Bangladesh Khulna floods 8 villages victims. Compensation covers crop losses. Vegetable distribution starts next week.
Long-term, communities push for river management. “Proper planning ends fear,” said Pradip Bala. Monitoring tides aids prevention. The Bangladesh Khulna flood food water crisis eases with unity. Full recovery demands swift action.
The Bangladesh Khulna floods 8 villages serve as a wake-up. Coastal defences must evolve. Residents rebuild with hope.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, October 10th, 2025
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