Chars make Payra, Biskhali rivers risky for vessels

Movement of vessels is being greatly hampered due to emergence of chars (landmass rising from riverbed) in the Payra and Biskhali rivers in Barguna.

Sandy land covers about 15 km area at the mouths of both rivers, where vessels have to anchor for four to five hours during low tide.

Payra and Biskhali rivers play a vital role in waterways communication with different parts in the country. The three-kilometre-wide Payra river is linked to the bay and Kirtonkhola river in Barisal via Taltali-Amtali-Mirzaganj-Patuakhali, while the four-km-wide Biskhali river is linked via Bamna-Betagi-Jhalakathi-Pirojpur. The rivers meet at Taltali upazila of Barguna

Thousands of fishing trawlers ply these rivers to fish landing stations in Pathorghata in Barguna, and Alipur and Mohipur in Patuakhali round the year. About 100 passenger vessels from Amtali ferry ghat, Bogi, Taltali and Chalitatali ply both rivers at risk. Cargo vessels carry goods from Payra and Mongla seaports to different parts of the country.

Chars have risen at Amtali ferry ghat area, where local boys often play football and cricket during low tide.

Altaf Hossain, a resident of Majher Char, said the river was very mighty once, but now it is about to die due to emergence of the chars.

Shahidul Islam, a fisherman of the area, said, “I used to catch many fish here, but there are very few fish now.”

Port Officer of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority in Barguna Mamun ur Rashid said they will take steps to dredge the rivers.