Water logging problem of tala upazila,satkhira, bangladesh

Hydrological, Sedimentological, KII and FGD Approaches
for Social and Environmental Evaluation in Water Logged
Areas of TALA
A report submitted by
MD. SYADUR RAHAMAN
Exam Roll No-314
Registration No-2012-912-210
Session-2012-13
In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Second year, B.S.(Hons) in
Disaster Science And Management
6 July 2015
Dept. of Disaster Science and Management
University of Dhaka

Abstract
Last two decade southwestern area mostly Khulna division face slow one
set disaster waterlogging. Due to high siltation rivers are loss their
Navigability as there heat Flood and Waterlogging in every year. Gradual
siltation is the main source of the problem on the riverbed triggered by
inadequate runoffs in the southern reaches caused by the polders
constructed under the Coastal Embankment Project (CEP) during the
sixties. For removing water logging effect, plinth rising and elevating the
local habitats and physical infrastructures can be considered as an
immediate and short-term measure. Auto sedimentation by river could be
considered for long-term or permanent solution for raising the low lands or
beels. The dead or silted-up rivers, canals, ponds and irrigation channels
can be excavated and the excavated sediment can be used for creating
or raising the rural roads, polder or embankment to mitigating the flood or
water logging problem in the region. For continuing crop production local
people are engaged in floating agriculture, crop production with Sorjan
method, and fish cultivation in lowland to utilize the water-logged land
around the southern region. They elevate and widen the surroundings of
that waterlogged land utilized for vegetable and fruit production.
The study analyzed soil salinity and some essential soil nutrients for rice plant
as affected by a shrimp-based cropping system. The study was conducted
in a village located in Satkhira district. Two main cropping systems, the
shrimp-boro rice cropping system and the aman rice-boro rice cropping
system, are mainly practiced by local farmers in the study village. The results
revealed that the soil salinity level of the shrimp-boro rice cropping system
was higher than that of aman rice-boro over the consecutive years of 2010,
2011 and 2012. The soil was found moderately saline. Some nutrient
elements were available in adequate amounts, salinity kept these nutrients
from being taken up by the rice plants since salinity changes the osmotic
pressure of the soil solution system. This may ultimately lead to a reduction
in rice yield and threaten the sustainability of the local shrimp-boro rice
cropping system.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, I would like to express my debt of gratitude to our Chairman sir
Professor Dr. A S M Maksud Kamal, for his valuable time spend for arrangement
this field work. I express my thanks and deepest sense of gratitude to our team
leader B M Rabby Hossain Lecturer, Department of Disaster Science and
Management, University of Dhaka for His spontaneous arrangement and caring
guidance. He deserve my thanks for his valuable lectures, good planning for the trip and
great affection. His theoretical and Practical knowledge help me much to clarify my
concept and complete this report.
I also express my thanks of our respected teachers Israth Ferdause, S. M. Kamrul
Hassan Lecturer, Dept. of Disaster Science and Management Department and
Mohammad Anwar Hossain Lacturar Dept. of Sociology, Begum Rokeya University,
Rangpur for their environmental, and sociological suggestion cordiality and his friendly
attitude during field work.
I would like to express my special gratitude to Mamunur Rashid, Project Manager UNDP
for his kind support to arrange the project work for the increased our knowledge on field
work.
My special thanks to all my DSM classmates for their warm friendship and help to
complete the project work and ready a report on this project work. Special thanks to
UNDP and UTTRON for their Financial, accommodation support and in other purposes. I
am quite convinced with the person whose are cooked food for us and get security us.

Content
Chapter Page No
Abstract I
Acknowledgement II
Contents III
Chapter – 1 Introduction 01
1.1. Introduction 02
1.2. Statement of the problem 03
1.3. Objective of the study 04
1.4. Scope of the study 04
1.5. Geology of this area 05
1.6. Geomorphological condition 06
1.7. Study area 09
1.7.1. Area 09
1.7.2. Agriculture and land use 12
1.7.3. Political and social condition 14
1.8. Limitation of the work 16
Chapter – 2 Literature review 17
Chapter – 3 Methodology 20
3.1. Hydrological Process 21
3.1.1. Tidal influence 21
3.1.2. Water table Measurement: 22
3.1.3. Ground water properties 23
3.2. Sedimentological 25
3.3. Environmental Assessment 26
Chapter – 4 Data Analysis 28
a.4.1. Hydrological Analysis 29
4.2. Sedementological Analysis 35
4.2.1. Type of Sediment 36
4.2.2. Sediment quality 36
4.2.3. Sediment deposit 37
4.2.4. Volume of project site and Estimate time to
deposit
38
4.3. FGD Data Analysis 39
4.3.1. Khesra Union 41
4.3.2. Jalalpur Union 45
Chapter – 5 Hazard Assessment 47
5.1. Hazards of this area 48
5.1.1. Water-logging 49
5.1.2. Salinity 50

5.2. Causes of Hazard 52
5.2.1. Causes of Waterlogging 52
5.2.2. Cause of Salinity 53
Effect of Hazards 54
5.3.1. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 54
5.3.2. Food 55
5.3.3. Housing and Shelter 55
5.3.4. Livelihood and Food Security 56
5.3.5. Health and Nutrition 56
5.3.6. Children and Education 57
5.3.7. Impact of Salinity 57
Chapter – 6 Result and Discussion 58
Chapter – 7 Conclusion 59
Chapter – 8 References 60

1.1 Introduction
Bangladesh is a country of Disaster. Is stand in southern part of Asia. Its work as a drainage
basin of 3 large river system Padma, Megna and Jamuna. With large amount of
population Bangladesh is experiencing environmental degradation. There are several
human and natural processes like sea-level rise, decrease river flow, dam and Barrage
etc.
In southern part of Bangladesh is form in last of Eocene period. Mostly sand that come
from northern hilly area of India. This sand is deposit in riverbank and river bed. Study area
is one of the most natural and man-made slow one set disaster prone area.
Map 1.1:Upazila Administrative Map TALA

1.2. Statement of the problem
Bangladesh is located on the extensive floodplains of the Ganges and Brahmaputra. The
southern part of Bangladesh is formed last geologic age and mostly formed by sand
deposit. Most of the southwestern district like Sthkhira, Khulna, Jeshor, Bagerhat, Baguna,
Patuakhali and Many others.
In rainy season when the river water is high this water inanded the river bank. Time of
cyclone the storm surge heat the river site people. There heavy damage of agricultural
and other raw products. It also a heavy destruction of our economy. Thus the govt. solve
the problem and made the embankment. On the rule of Embankment and Drainage act
1952.
The rivers of Bangladesh mostly deltaic. Here the tidal influence is high. Sedimentation
processes is a large factor to generate this problems. Most of the rivers are generate in
upstream hill like Himalaya and others hills. The river water carried huge amount of
sediment. Due to high velocity this sediment deposit mostly southern part of
Bangladesh.Between high and low tide the river water stay for few times these time
mostly sand are deposit in rover bed and river bank.
Once upon a time Kobodak river is a famous river. The bank of Kobodak our famous poet
“Maichel Modhu Sudon Dotta” was born and his famous poem “kopotakkho nod” was
written with this river. But now a days this river is one of the main problem of the people
of this area and the authority.
The embankment are made for the solution of the problem but now it create a big
problem like waterlogging. Gradually sand are deposit in river bank and its elevation is
high. Due to embankment there
made some polder. These polder
are connect to the river with a
channel. But in the time there
haven’t proper management the
channel are closed so that the
river water can’t enter in this
polder. This polder are generally
lower than the river side. In rainy
season the water enter in this
polder create waterlogging. This
situation stay at least six months.
Most of the southern district face
this problem. This one problem
generate others problems like
economic and social problem.
Due to waterlogging govt. try to solve this problem. But there create a political problem,

the political strong group are join in fisheries (shrimp cultivate). They didn’t solve this
problem. Due to economic problem people are join with many criminal.
 Waterlogging
 Cyclone
 Salinity
 Agricultural and Economic
 Social and political
1.3. Objective of the study
The primary focus of the study would be on the factors influencing the water logging
problem in study area (Tala Upazila). The secondary focus to find out a solution on the
basis of this sedementological, hydrological and socioeconomically problems.
The effects on human life, economy and the environmental quality of the city due to
water logging would be studied. At the end of the study, there are some
recommendations from the technical, social and institutional point of views as an input
for the concerned authorities for better management of the waterlogging problems.
These recommendations are based on the observation, discussion and primary
information that have been collected for the study. However, the specific objectives of
the study
i) Find out the causes of waterlogging of Tala Upazila
ii) Give some technical solution about Tidal River Management (TRM) like
hydrological and sedimentological processes
iii) Provide some recommendations as an input for the concerned authorities for
better management of storm water.
1.4. Scope of the study
The embankment made for the solution but at first it’s give some benefit. In a long run
solution made a problem. Last few decade people of these area are face this problem.
The waterlogging problem are gradually increased.
To overcome the water logging problem of Tala Upazila, it is necessary to find out the
inherent causes of this problem considering its associated impacts on the human life. Thus
the study focuses to find out the causes addressing its effects of water logging due to
storm water, which will be helpful to take appropriate steps for better management of
the problem.

1.5. Geology of This Area
The coastal belt of Bangladesh consists of 19 coastal districts out of 64 districts
encompassing 147 upazilas including the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and constitutes
32 percent of the area and 28 percent of the population of Bangladesh. The coastal belt
of Bangladesh forms the lowest landmass
and is part of the world’s largest delta
called the Bengal Delta or Ganges-
Brahmaputra Delta. The coast of
Bangladesh is about 710km long. The
southwestern coastal belt belongs to the
Tidal Delta and parts of Satkhira district
belongs to the inactive Gangesdelta,
Parts of Khulna district belongs to both
active and inactive Ganges delta and
parts of Bagerhat district belongs to the
active Ganges delta respectively.
Based on geomorphologic features, the
coastal areas of Bangladesh have been
divided into three distinct regions viz. the
eastern region, the central region and the
western region and the study area
belongs to the western region which is characterized by dense mangrove forest and
deeply scoured tidal channels. According to PDO-ICZMP (2003), the coastal zone of
Bangladesh has been classified into exposed coast and interior coast (figure) based on
cyclonic storm surges, salinity and tidal influence. 12
districts out of 19 coastal districts comprising 48
Upazilas are exposed to the Bay of Bengal or lower
estuaries and are defined as exposed coast and the
remaining 99 Upazilas of the coastal districts are
defined as interior coast.
The geology of the southwestern coastal belt of
Bangladesh is characterized by active tectonism, sea
level fluctuation and tidal activity. Tectonically the
study area belongs to the Foredeep of the Bengal
Deep (geosynclinal) Basin which is characterized by
only mild or no folding. So the sedimentary layers are
generally horizontal. The coastal zone is composed of
Quaternary sediments carried by the Ganges-
Brahmaputra-Meghna river system forming an
overlapping deltaic arc. About 2.5 million tons of
Map 1.2:Coastal Zoning Map of Bangladesh
Map 1.3:Geological Map of Bangladesh

sediment is carried annually by this mighty river system and 970 billion cubic meter of
water is discharged into the Bay of Bengal. This huge load of sediments finds its way into
the Bengal deep sea fan. The southwestern coastal belt belongs to the tidal delta and
partly of both active and inactive Ganges delta and is composed of floodplain
sediments mainly clay, silty clay, sandy clay and sand. Depositional pattern is very
complex and it is difficult to find a regular or continuous succession but it shows a
heterogeneous mixture of sand, silt and clay.
The southwestern coastal belt is crisscrossed by a large number of rivers and their
tributaries. The major rivers of Satkhira district are the Morichap River, Kholpotua River,
Betna River, Raimangal River, Hariabhanga River, Ichamati River, Betrabati River and
Kalindi-Jamuna River. The major rivers of Bagerhat district are the Panguchi, Daratana,
Madhumati, Pasur, Haringhata, Mongla, Baleswar, Bangra and Goshairkhali whereas the
major rivers of Khulna district are the Rupsa-Pasur, Bhairab, Shibsha, Dharla, Bhadra, Ball,
and Kobadak. The Rupsa River is formed by the union of Bhairab River and Atrai Rivers.
Near Chalna, it changes its name to Pasur River and flows into the Bay of Bengal. The
Pasur River is tributary of the Ganges River. The Bhairab River originates from Tengamari
border of Meherpur district and bisects the Khulna city into two parts and passes through
the Jessore town.
1.6. Geomorphological Condition of this area
The coastal area of Bangladesh is complex delta of vast network of river
systemscomprising the mighty Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. In general, the river
systems have their origin in India –the Ganges from the Himalayas and the Brahmaputra
from Khashi Jayantia hills in the northeast of the country.
While flowing through Bangladesh on their way to the Bay of Bengal, these rivers carry an
estimated annual sediment load of about 2.5 million tons. These sediments are subjected
to coastal dynamic process and lead to recreation and erosion in the coastal area of
Bangladesh. This complex geographical phenomenon introduces slow mutative
changes in coastal region of Bangladesh; of various effects, new land formation is a
significant factor in influencing socio-economic scenario of the coastal zone.
Coastal area is infested with vast network of rivers and estuaries. According of UN ESCAP,
the morphology of the coastal region may be better described as ” a vast network of
rivers, an enormous discharge of river water heavily laden with sediments, both
suspended and bed load, a large number of islands in between the channels, the
Swatch of NO Ground (a submarine Canyon) running NE-SW partially across the
continental shelf about 24 km south of the Bangladesh, a funnel-shaped and shallow
northern Bay of Bengal, to the north of which the coastal area of Bangladesh is located,
strong tidal and wind actions, and a tropical cyclones and their associated storm surges”.
Coastal environment and morphology are relatively less suitable for traditional field crop
cultivation. Administration, therefore, with the primary objective to improve crop

cultivation, undertook measures to control tidal flows which, has resulted in indiscriminate
spread of shrimp culture and in the process, (soil and water) salinity has become an
important environmental degrading parameter.
These factors are jointly operating in complicated way to bring about geomorphologic
changes in the coastal belts of Bangladesh. Geomorphology of coastal region exhibits
special variation, concern is more on variation in eastwest direction. On the basis of
available information on geomorphologic variables e.g. land structure, soil salinity etc.
The coast of Bangladesh may be, as has been, delineated into several homogenous
region. It has more often been sub-divided into regions, namely
1. South Eastern Region (SER),
2. South Central Region (SCR)
3. South Western Region (SWR).
South Eastern Region (SER)
The South Eastern Region extends
from the Feni River to Badar
Mokam of the district of Cox’s
Bazar. The SER is regular and
unbroken and is protected
(along) with sea coast by mud
flats and submerged sands. A
continuous strip of sand runs from
Cox’s Bazar to Badar Mokam and
forms a long beach.
The coastal districts of Chittagong
and Cox’s Bazar belong to this
region. The Chittagong port is also
situated in this part of the coast,
which has helped urbanization of
the region.
South Central Region (SCR)
This coastal area comprises
Pirojpur , Jhalakathi, Barisal,.
Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola,
Noakhali, Feni and Lakshmipur
district. This region, in the east-
west direction, runs from the Feni
to Baleswar River. Along with the
mighty Meghna river, other
important rivers of this region are
Garai-Madhumati, Baleswar, Arail Map 1.4:Coastal Regional Map of Bangladesh

Khan, Kirtonkhalo-Bishkhali, Lohalia, Payra, Sobipur, Lata, Coacha, Shandhya etc. The
region is geographically most volatile. Sediments carried by the rivers and flood waters
are primarily responsible, apart from cyclonic sea storms, for the formation of Chars (new
land area) on the one hand and erosion of river banks on the other hand, which, in turn,
causes (course) change of river flow. These are more or less continuous phenomena of
this region. Much of the dynamic nature of this region is due to the fact that the three
major rivers – the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna- have joined to form many
estuaries.
The coastal line of this region is thus highly broken and consists of a series of islands
(formed by sediment deposits). It is worth mentioning that Barisal and Patuakhali are
surrounded by many canals. Agriculture of the region thrives on water supplied by the
canals. Canals are gradually silted up.
South Western Region (SWR)
South western coastal region spreads between the rivers Baleswar in the east and
Raimongal, Kalindi and Ichamoti of the country with India and consists of Khulna, Satkhira
and Bagerhat. The world famous Sundarbans forest belongs to this region. Rivers of the
zone are Rupsa, Pasur, Shibsha, Madhumati-Baleswar, Kobadak, Kholpetua, etc. River
channels are deeper than other two coastal areas. Together with these deep rivers,
numerous estuaries in and around the delta of the Ganges-Padma River are primary
sources of sweet water.
The Ganges-Padma river system is responsible for maintaining agro-climatic and ecology
of this zone. This region has normally been referred to as the Ganges-Padma flood plain,
which is the coast line in general and transverse to the structure of the continental
margin. Forest is much more abundant in this region as a matter of fact, world famous
Sundarbans is situated in this coastal part of Bangladesh, which is again famous for
containing the largest mangrove. The dense mangrove forests restrict the adverse effects
of cyclone, and substantially help prevent erosion and accretion etc. Forest cover of the
region has helped stability of this coastal belt.
The coastal area of Bangladesh is confluence of land, sea and atmosphere. Some
changes in the geomorphologic parameters like soil salinity, water, salinity, water flow in
rivers and estuaries are adversely affecting coastal agriculture. Rivers and canals, being
the source of irrigation water, are not easily available in the coastal area which is
surrounded by rivers and estuaries. Increase of soil and water salinity level is also
mentionable in this respect. Extension or irrigation is questioned. Indeed, river water
irrigation for augmenting productivity may not besuitable option for coastal zone of
Bangladesh. Statistics reveal that soil and water salinity are harmful for cropping and
productivity, thus sustainability of agriculture is under threat in coastal zone
Coastal belt of Bangladesh is one of the depressed regions of the nation. Despite having
potentialities to accelerate growth, this region is lagging in many aspects. Primary reason
for sluggish growth of coastal agriculture sector is the administrative negligence in

making proper response to the agro-climatic factors of the coastal area. The importance
of policy issues is needed in this respect.
1.7. Study Area
7.1.1. Area
The project area is located in the south-western part of Bangladesh. We work in two pilot
project one is stand in Khesra another is Jalalapur. In map they are stand 22042/52// N,
Map 1.5:Project Study area map

89015/12// E at Khesra point and 22039/22// N, 89016/57// E at Jalalpur point. The area of our
pilot project is .12 km2 in Khasra and 0.15 km2 in Jalalapur.
The studied area belonging to the Tala Upazila in Satkhira district that about 45 km NNE
direction of Satkhira towns and is also
about 265 km SSW of Dhaka.It needed
about 6 hour and 45 min reached
there.My study area are two pilot
project one is Khesra Union and other is
Jalalapur union, both of them are
under Tala upazila. Two of the project is
stand bank of the Kopotakkho River.
The distance of two site form our base
camp (Uttron) 4km khesra and 13km
Jalalapur.
The Tala Upazila is well communicated
from Dhaka by bus. You also going to
by train or air in Khulna then Tala
Upazila is connected with the metalloid
road. Our basecamp and the project
site are connected with metalloid semi
metalloid and unpaved road. We
going there by a spatial car
(Votvoti)Fig
Map 1.6: Project Study area map

Location of our study area
Site-1 Jalalpur
Our project site 1 Jalalpur it’s about 4.3
km far form our basecamp. It was right
bank of the kobodak river of Jalalpur
Union. Our pilot project site
connecting with river by a dead khal
(Small River). Due to sand deposit
mouth of the khal the tidal influence
can’t reach this project site. Length of
the project site is 0.48 km and weidth
is 0.25 km. total area is 0.11 m2. There
were a pond in project site – 1 area
with 0.66 hector.
Site-2 Khesra
Our project site 2 Khesra it’s about 13
km farfrom our basecamp. It stand
right bank of the kobodak river of
Khesra Union. The project site-2
Khesra. Due to sand deposit mouth of
the khal the tidal influence can’t
reach this project site. Length of the
project site is 0.55 km and weidth is 0.2
km. total area is 0.13 m2. There were a
pond in project site – 2 area with 0.66
hector.Map 1.8
Map 1.7:Project area map Site -1
Map 1.8: Project area map Site -2

1.7.2. Agricultural and Land Use
As a flood plain area most of the land are used for cultivate. Due to waterlogging and
source of saline water last few decade there people started to cultivate the Shrimp.
Source of water Form River people are cultivate several type of crops like Paddy, wheat,
potato, jute, sugarcane and many oher type of crops and fruits. In below table we see that the
most of the land are use as cultivated paddy. Wheat and potato is also cultivate here.
Map 1.9: Agricultural Map of Bangladesh

Most of the agriculture land are used for cultivated paddy. Here mainly three type of
paddy are cultivated like Aus, Aman, Boro. In year 10-11 in districtstatistics says that 21768
MT tone Aus 271130 mt tone Aman 263377m.tone Boro.
Here also cultivate several type of fruits and vegetable like Mango, Litchi, Blackberry,
Jackfruits, Banana, Guava, and Pineapple, lime and lemon. Vegetables Are Cauliflower,
Cucumber, Brinjal, Lady’s Finger, Arum, Pumpkin, Parble (Potol), Cabbage, Tomato,
Radish, Bean Turmeric and Ginger. But most of them are cultivate for the family purpose.
But some are cultivate for the economic purpose. There are also cultivate some Spices
(pepper, onion garlic), oil seed (Rape & mustard Ground nut Til) and Pulse (Gram Motor
Khesari Mash-kalai).
People of this area is also breeding some kind of domestic animal like Cows, Buffalo, Goat
and sheep. Below the tablewe see that7 upazila of Satkhira district are breeding this type
of domestic animal. In stastics reposrt 2010 - 2011see that the seven distict ofSatkhira are
breeding 451593 number of Cow/Buffalo 454333 picess of Goat and 36945 pices of
Sheeps.
1.7.3. Social and Political Condition:
Table: Cattle of Satkhira districts

Satkhira district came into being in 1984 as a full pledged district had created out
of greater Khulna district. It is one of coastal district where biggest mangrove
forest of the world the Sundarban is situated. 70% of our total fish comes, and 90%
of export earnings from frozen foods comes from Satkhira and this the place
where the bread basket of Bangladesh is situated.
Unfortunately, this potential and important area has been experiencing changes
of political and the socio- economic phenomena with the expansion of shrimp
culture. Embankment was erected in sixties decade before that sea water flows
was open. In eighties shrimp cultivation started. Since 1994 fish fry has been
become scarce. Import of fry started at that time and virus infection has been
detected alarmingly.
In agriculture once Tala Upazila was famous for its crop production. Particularly
this Upazila is self sufficient in respect of food production. Mainly Kabadak river is
flowing over the Tala Upazila. We found some mangrove trees in Tala. And it
indicates that the Upazila is situated nearby the Sundarban mangrove forest
caused monsoon climatic affect which once caused enough rainfall. But due to
climate changes and recently happened Aiala and Sidar the physical
environment of the district has been devastated enormously. We the team of 30
members from Dept. of Disaster Science and Management visited Tala Upazila
and Khesra and Jalapur Union intensively and tried to find out the causes and
extend of change in political patterns and social- economic impacts of shrimp
culture.
From our investigation (FGD, KII) we mainly see that most of the land are covered
by saline water for shrimp cultivation. And these are rounded by polders. By Focal
Group Discussion we know that this shrimp cultivation mainly owned by single
owner although huge area covered by each polder. Even one have many
polders. But horrible news is that he is not the owner of the lands. He is powerful
and political so he forced farmer to deal with shrimp cultivation is his polder. So
the socio-economic condition is totally decreased at high rate. Due to shrimp
cultivation social and political condition have been changed and arise many
others problems------------------------------
 Shrimp cultivation is taken place in the arable land. Shrimp is a
permanent crop so changes of land ownership is happening which
not encourage forestation of the area.
 Problems of drinking water has been acute but not for shrimp but due
to increase of salinity of the water and public health is also
endangered

 Before flourishing the shrimp cultivation in many case due to other
problem many land owner could have to starve for meager
agricultural production
 Level of saline intrusion in the area has been evident less quantity in
early time
 Most of the tributaries and rivers has dried and up stream flow of
water have been stranded consequently salinity of the surface water
has increased more than tolerable level which helps to facilitate
shrimp cultivation in the area
 In early period there was abundance of fry in the rivers. Now most of
the rivers are dried up and people indiscriminately catch the fry from
rivers and caused harmed to other fish fry consequently total
biological chain has been devastated
 The natural aorestation process has been greatly reduced and many
varieties of commercially important trees and shrubs are vanishing
fast
 There has been substantial changes on soil fertility due to increase of
salt content on the top soil
 It is also evident that changes have taken place on rural economy
and social structure. Fishermen got greatest blow whose percentage
was around 12-15%. Destruction of captured fisheries forced many of
them either to change to other profession or to migrate.
Because of these problems cultivated lands are alarmingly decrease and shrimp
cultivation becomes popular. So lands lose fertility and salinity increases. And
because of this some powerful people misuse their power and become more
powerful and economical. But rest suffering a lot. So there we found a clear
discrimination among people. So people are committed social conflicts. And this
socio-economic condition facing a alarming situation.
1.8. Limitation of This Work
Some limitations were encountered during the study period to complete project work
according to the selected objectives. These limitations are described below:

Two types of water logging occurs in Dhaka City that is water logging due to river
flooding and water logging due to heavy rainfall. In this study, only rainfall induced water
logging was tried to emphasize. But sometimes it was very difficult to differentiate these
two types of water logging as they merged each other due to heavy rainfall.
Very few studies were conducted related to water logging and TRM (Tidal River
Management). As a result, there was no sufficient literature to enrich the analysis of this
study by reviewing their study findings.
There was no sufficient secondary data to collect related to past river drainage system
in terms of width, length, depth, capacity, pick flow rate, drainage coefficient etc. and
their layout. Therefore, it was not possible to compare the capacity of present drainage
system to drain out the stagnant water with the past, which was needed to enrich the
recommendations to reduce the problem.
Due to lack of several data like elevation data, water depth data the measurement
didn’t accurate. Lack of instrument is also a main factor that collect accurate data. Most
of the case we use indigenous formula to collect data. We can’t get access of modern
instrument.
Time is another big factor that create problem to collect data. We get five days to work
with two project site. But isn’t appropriate for this type of work. There have also
communication problem. Difference between two site is about 8 km. so it’s difficult to
collect data in due time in two project site.
During the questionnaire survey (FGD and KII), some interviewee did not want to make
any comments against the responsible development authorities even they know the
lack of efficiency of those authorities, because they think that any negative comments
can be harmful for them in near future.

Literature Review
Water logging due to low land and embankment is a very common problem like
the others regular environmental problem of the study area. But very few studies
have been conducted on water logging and drainage system of the study area
and there is no study been conducted to find out the causes of such problem
and its impacts on the human life as well as the economy. Some studies related
to find out social problem but there have no study to solve this problem on
scientific knowledge. Some studies are describe below which are related to the
waterlogging problem of the study area.
A project has been taken by “Bangladesh Water Development board (BWDB)”
2011 to 2015 under the MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (MoWR). Name of this
project “কপ োতোক্ষ নপের জলোবদ্ধতো দূরীকরণ প্রকল্প (১ম র্যোয়)”. . Due to sand deposition the river
is turned to a drain. In rainy season when heavy rainfall start the river can’t carry
out the rain water. Thus the BWDB take this project to solve this problem. The
project have several work like River dredging, connection cannel dredging,
embankment and many other constructional work. Without any master plan the
project can’t help to solve this problem. Lot of corruption and without any master
plan now the project turned to fail.
A report was published form UNDP “Water Logging in Satkhira District an Analysis
of Gaps between Needs and Response” November 2011. This report investigated
cause and effect of waterlogging in southwestern district of Bangladesh. Due to
perpetual siltation in the rivers and as a consequence of unplanned development
interventions on the river system, long-lasting water-logging in the human
settlements is taking place in Satkhira resulting in considerable loss and damage
to dwelling houses, standing crops, shrimp farms, roads, educational institutions
and so on in Tala, Satkhira Sadar, Kolawara, Debhata, Assasuni, Kaliganj upazilas
including the Municipal areas of Satkhira district. It also find out the floods and
prolonged water-logging have caused significant displacement presenting
humanitarian challenges in safe water supply, sanitation, shelter and food
security.
Md. Abdul Awal 2014 in his study “Water logging in south-western coastal region
of Bangladesh: local adaptation and policy options” describe that the effect of
long term waterlogging in human livelihood. Last three decade it’s also impact to
our economy. For removing water logging effect, plinth rising and elevating the
local habitats and physical infrastructures can be considered as an immediate
and short-term measure whereas operation of Tidal River Management (TRM)

technology might be considered for long-term or permanent solution for raising
the low lands or bells. The dead or silted-up rivers, canals, ponds and irrigation
channels can be excavated or re-excavated by operating the major workfare
social safety net programs of the government like Food-for-Work (FFW) or Cash-
for-Work (CFW) and the excavated soil can be utilized for creating, maintaining
or raising the rural roads, polder/embankment and related other infrastructures
which are quite crucial for mitigating the flood or water logging problem in the
region.
Shampa, Md. Ibne Mayaz Pramanik 2012 in their study “Tidal River Management
(TRM) for Selected Coastal Area of Bangladesh to Mitigate Drainage Congestion”
find out that the Kobadak River has been experiencing huge siltation over a
long reach that reduces the drainage. It affects every sphere of life including
cultivable lands, employments, culture fish production, grazing land, bio-
diversity and live-stocks. Human interventions such as construction of polders,
bridges and encroachment into the river for cultivation deteriorated the
condition of Kobadak River. The decrease of flushing flow from upstream and
substantial reduction of tidal flooding area along the river by constructing polders
caused severe siltation over a long stretch of the river.
Sahriar Rahman & Syed Hafizur Rahman in their study “Indigenous Coping
Capacities due to Water-logging, Drinking Water Scarcity and Sanitation at
Kopotaksho Basin, Bangladesh” investigated the causes of water logging of the
basin is under the peril of water-logging due to the natural and human
interventions and effect of this problem he social life was hampered due to
freshwater scarcity, outbreak of waterborne and sanitation problem people were
defecated at open place. Says about the locally acceptable solution Tidal River
Management (TRM).

3.1 Hydrological Process
It have been already said that the study area is face the major problem of
waterlogging. The impact and causes are made a complexities. Sometime
sociological and political factors are against to solve this problems. So that the
work with different subject by different method. We work in hydrological,
sedementological and social problem. There use in different method like:
1. Hydrological process
a. Tidal influence
b. Water table
c. Ground water properties ( Salinity, pH, EC, TDS)
2. Sedimentological process
3. Environmental Assessment (FGD and KII)
In hydrological processes I study in different topics like tidal influences, water table
measurement, and groundwater properties. My study site is southern part there
the tidal influence is high. The water of this area is mostly saline due to influence
of Bay.
3.1.1. Tidal influence
At first need to find out the water current thus the important to sedimentation
processes. The water height during high and low tide is very important to know. In
my study area the tidal influences are high and low tide, Tidal height.
Water velocity: to measuring the water velocity we use Float method. By this
method I work several steps. There need some floating
materials Fig 3.1.
1. Locate a spot in the river bank that will act as the
cross section of the river.
2. Decide on a length of the river to send a floating
3. Using a stopwatch, measure the time it takes the float
to travel to this length.
4. Repeat above process 5-10 times and determine the
average time taken for the float to travel the river.
Throw the float into the water at different distances
from the shoreline in order to gain a more accurate average.
5. Divide the stream length by the average time to determine the average
velocity of the stream.
Fig 3.1: Velocity measurement

6. The corrected velocity multiplied by the cross sectional area yields the flow
rate in volume/time. (Be sure to keep consistent units of length/distance
when measuring the cross section and the velocity e.g. meters, feet)
s = v x t
 Here, S = Traveled distance of the floating object
 V= Velocity of the current
 T= Time required to travel the floating object
Water height during low and High tide
At the time of end of high tide the river water level is highest. And the end of the
low tide we see the lowest water level. I measure the water level respect to the
river bank Fig 3.2.
1. Use a bamboo for the measuring the
height.
2. Also use the ribbon so that the height is
respect to the river bank.
3. The low tide water level height is
= river height-bamboo above the water
(during low tide)
4. The high tide height
= river height-bamboo above the water
(during high tide)
5. Repeat this 5-10 times in different place
in the river and determine the average
water level during low and high tide.
3.1.2. Water table Measurement:
To make a decision about a stream pattern we need
to measure the water table, hydraulic gradient.
Access of tube well we used well water level as the
water table. In our study area there have well access
of tube well thus the tube well are used for water
table Fig 3.3.
Fig 3.2: River water level measurement
Fig 3.3: Water Level Meter

We used the water level meter to measure the water table Fig3.4. we enter the
pin of the water level meter into the well pipe at a time it get the water and give
a signal. It was scaling and we get the valu of water table.
3.1.3. Ground water properties
Salinity (EC, TDS)
The term salinity used here refers to the total dissolved concentration of
major inorganic ions (i.e. Na,Ca, Mg, K, HCO3, SO4 and Cl) in irrigation, drainage
and ground waters. Individual concentrations of these cations and anions in
a unit volume of the water can be expressed either on a chemical equivalent
basis, mmolc/l, or on a mass basis, mg/l. Total salt concentration (i.e. salinity) is
Fig 3.4: Water level measurement

then expressed either in terms of the sum of either the cations or anions, in
mmolc/l, or the sum of cations plus anions, in mg/l. For reasons of analytical
convenience, a practical index of salinity is electrical conductivity (EC),
expressed in units of deci Siemen per metre (dS/m) Fig 3.5/3.6 TDS, EC can
be measured using an Electrical conductivity meter (Hanna Company) in the
field. An approximate relation (because it also depends upon specific ionic
composition) between EC and total salt concentration is 1 dS/m = 10
mmolc/l = 700 mg/l. Electrical conductivity values are always expressed at a
standard temperature of 25 °C to enable comparison of readings taken under
varying climatic conditions.The electrical conductivity of water is actually a
measure of salinity. Excessively high salinity can affect plants in the following ways:
 Specific toxicity of a particular ion (such as Sodium)
 Higher osmotic pressure around the roots prevents an efficient water
absorption by the plant.
pH
Ground water, especially if the water is acidic, in many places contains
excessive amounts of iron. Iron causes reddish stains on plumbing fixtures
and clothing. Like hardness, excessive iron content can be reduced by
treatment. A test of the acidity of water is pH, which is a measure of the hydrogen-
ion concentration. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 indicates neutral
water; greater than 7, the water is basic; less than 7, it is acidic. A one unit change
Fig 3.5: pH, EC, TDS meter Fig 3.6: Measuring pH, EC, TDS of well Water

in pH represents a 10-fold difference in hydrogen-ion concentration. For example,
water with a pH of 6 has 10 times more hydrogen-ions than water with a pH of 7.
Water that is basic can form scale; acidic water can corrode. According to
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criteria, water for domestic use should
have a pH between 5.5 and 9.
Measurement of pH using pH meter (Fig 3.5, 3.5)
We also find out many data through FGD process like :-
 Environmental situation (water, sanitation)(FGD)
 Crop Pattern (FGD)
 Cultural Traditions (FGD)
 Community Infrastructure and facilities (FGD)
3.2. Sedimentation Process
- Sediment Types, Sedimentation Process, Influence of ocean current
- Quality of sediment, Quantity of Sediment
- How much sediment comes with high tide
- How much sediment might require to complete the TRM
- How many days it might take to deposit sediments at scale in the pilot sites
 Sampling
a. Suspended Sediment Concentration (SSC) in Water: Water samples are to
be collected and processed in order to quantify Suspended Sediment
Concentration.
b. Deposited Sediments-inland (Auger-Method): Previously deposited
sediments can be collected using Auger drilling. An Auger is essentially
manual drilling equipment that can collect relatively undisturbed cores of
samples up to a certain (shallow) depth from the surface.
 Overlaying cross-sectional data of the river bed

 Amount/ Intensity of Sedimentation: The amount of sedimentation over a
specified time frame can be determined using Sediment Traps. PVC pipes/
Carpet/ Tiles are placed properly over the course of the study. Sediments
deposited on top of them (Inside, in case of PVC pipes) is measured and
collected for further Analysis. Brick dust can also be used as a marker horizon
for this purpose.
 Grain Size Analysis
Samples collected can be analyzed in order to determine the grain size of
sediments using either of the following:
a. Sieve Method
b. Hydrometer
 Sediment required to complete TRM: Auger method, cross section, titles
Auger method and Sediment trap provide information about recent sediment
deposit rates in river bank and other parts of lands whereas overlying cross
sections of riverbeds provide information about sediments deposited in the
riverbed. The sediment traps (Tiles) to be deployed in the field can provide
measurements of sediment being deposited at the current time. From this
observation, the timeframe required to deposit sediments at scale in the the
pilot sites can also be determined. The suspended sediment concentration
measurements provide an idea of the amount of sediments being carried by
the rivers. Also taking SSC measurements in both during high tide and low tide,
can yield variation in sediments in river water due to tidal variation. These
measurements can quantitatively provide an idea of the amount of sediments
available for deposition in the study area.
3.3. Environmental Assessment
 Rapid IEE of the TRM sites
 Probable Impact of TRM on Natural, Built and Cultural Ecosystem (KII & FGD)
 Probable consequences on bio-diversity (flora and fauna) (KII & FGD)

IEE Format:
o Environmental clearance requirements
o GOB Laws, regulations and guidelines on environmental management
o Specific Donor's environmental requirements (as applicable)
o Environmental Issues and Concerns under the Project
o Description of the available environment in the Project Area(s)
o Currently available environmental quality of lands, air, and water and their
past trends (~20 years)
o Environmental assessment of each activity envisaged (as in sub-section 1.5
above): a present time, (b) into the future (~20 to 30 years)
o Envisaged environmental safeguard actions (KII and FGD)
o Potential of failures of envisaged safeguard actions (based on current
practices) (KII and FGD)
o Final assessment of degradation of environmental quality due to project
implementation
o Notification of unavoidable irreversible degradation of environment
o Modalities of stakeholders' response on environmental assessment (prior
disclosure is a pre-requisite)
o Specific responses and recommendations of various stakeholder groups
Hazard & Vulnerability Analysis (DRR & CC)
 Present and future risks identification
 Validation community perception with scientific data

Data Analysis
As a complex problem there we needed several type of Data. We collect this data in
several process. Thus we find out an easy and flexible solution of this complex
waterlogging problem. In our project site we work 5 days to find out the problem and
collection a large amount of data. We collect Hydrological, Sedimentological data for
the scientific purpose. We also try to find out a social problems by FGD and KII. As per we
work for –
 Hydrological
 Sedimentological
 FGD and KII
4.1. Hydrological
River carry sediment and it deposited in low land area. The processes is formally known
as TRM. In our both site (Jalalpur and Khesra) we work with several hydrological processes
like River Current, Draw Stream Pattern, Water Quality, Area and Volume of The Sits.
The rivers of our study area are mostly tidal river. The Kubodak River is a river where tidal
influence is high. The river velocity of Jalalpur point (Site-1) in during high tide is 0.78125
m/s (3:54 pm). At low tide moment the measurement of river velocity (around 1:15
pm) was 1 m/s. The rider depth is 3.05m and width is 35m. Here the height difference
between low tide and high tide 2.25m. At khesra point
during low tide the measurement of river velocity (around
1:15 pm) was 0.87 m/s and during the high tide it was
0.316 m/s.(3:20 pm).. Influence of the tidal flow extends up
to 142 meter during high tide (combined both side of the
river). Where, one side of the river (at low tide it was
glanced) width is 57 m, another side of the river width is 50
m and the river width is 35 m. The river width is increase
towards cost. The river current is one of the main factor of
the sediment deposition. Type of sediment deposit is also
depend on river current.
At Jalalpur point (Site - 1)
o River depth is 3.05m.
o low tide the water height is 0.8m
o High tide water level is 3.05m
o Tidal height is 2.25m Map 4.1: Crosse section of the river in
two site

At Khesra point (Site - 2)
o River depth is 9.0 m.
River current very form time to time. Starting of the high tide and end of the low tide the
river face high water flow. In starting of high tide it has high velocity and gradually
decreased and turned to zero in end of the high tide. In this time the river show highest
water level.
Mainly two type of stream are found in coastal zone one is influent stream and another
is effluent stream. We try to find out the stream pattern. Thus we measure the water table
depth, but in our study area there are only one way to collect water table data through
the tube wells. In several point of two site (Jalalpur and Khesra) thus are both side of the
river. The value of water table depth is varies place to place.
Water Table Data (Site-1) Jalalpur
Well ID Depth
TRM W 1 1.8 m
TRM W 2 2.08 m
TRM W 3 1.7 m
TRM W 4 1.5 m
TRM W 5 0.6 m
TRM W 6 1.6 m
TRM W 7 1.1 m
TRM W 8 1.1 m
TRM W 9 1.3 m
Tab 4.1: Water Table site -1
Map 4.2: Well Location in project site - 1

At Jalalpur point we collect 9 tube well data. Thus this data is spread both side of the
river. To find out water table depth we use the shallow tube well. We see that if going
away form river the water table depth is increase. Above all data we see that the stream
pattern of Jalalpur point is mainly influent. Fig (4.1)
Water Table Data (Site-2) Khesra
Well ID Depth
TRM W 1 1.47 m
TRM W 2 1.34 m
TRM W 3 2.31 m
TRM W 4 2.3 m
TRM W 5 1.72 m
TRM W 6 3 m
TRM W 7 2 m
TRM W 8 2 m
TRM W 9 2.32 m
TRM W 10 1.3 m
TRM W 11 1.06 m
TRM W 12 2.2 m
Tab 4.2: Water Table site -2
Map 4.2: Well Location in project site - 2
Fig 4.1: Stream Pattern project Site-1

At Khesra point we collect 12 tube well data. Thus this data is spread both side of the
river. To find out water table depth we use the shallow tube well. We see that if going
away form river the water table depth is increase. Above all data we see that the stream
pattern of Khesra point is mainly influent. Fig (4.1)
The coastal region are mostly affected by salinity. Due to sea level rise the ocean water
enter into the river. The ocean water are mostly saline water. Below we given a table
where say that the name of the water with salinity.
Classification of saline water which will be used to determine the water type:
Water Class Electrical
conductivity
dS/m
Salt
concentration
mg/l
Type of Water
Non-Saline <0.7 <500 Drinking and irrigation water
Slightly Saline 0.7-2 500-1500 Irrigation water
Moderately
Saline
2-10 1500-7000 Primary drainage water and
groundwater
Highly Saline 10-25 7000-15 000 Secondary drainage water
and
groundwater
Very Highly
Saline
25-45 15 000-35 000 Very saline groundwater
Brine >45 >45 000 Seawater
Tab 4.3: Classification of Saline Soil
Fig 4.2: Stream Pattern project Site-2

Project site-1 Jalalpur union we collect 9 tube well data Table 4.4. Thus this data is spread
both side of the river. We see that the most of the well water is Slightly Saline water to
Moderately Saline water. We see that if going away form river the salinity concentration
is decreased. Tube well which is near to the river is highly saline. We also collect the
ground water salinity data thus we see the mostly brine water.
Water quality (Salinity)
Well ID Salt concentration
mg/l(ppm)
TRM W 1 1*
TRM W 2 1970
TRM W 3 1*
TRM W 4 820
TRM W 5 450
TRM W 6 428
TRM W 7 371
TRM W 8 382
TRM W 9 409
Project site -2 Khesra union we collect 12 tube well data Table 4.5. Thus this data is spread
both side of the river. We see that the most of the well water is Slightly Saline water to
Moderately Saline water. We see that if going away form river the salinity concentration
is decreased. Tube well which is near to the river is highly saline. We also collect the
ground water salinity data thus we see the mostly brine water.
Source Salt
concentration
mg/l(ppm
Paddy 1*
Drain 1*
Paddy 1962
Well ID Salt concentration
mg/l(ppm)
TRM W 1 1560
TRM W 2 474
TRM W 3 488
TRM W 4 383
TRM W 5 540
TRM W 6 418
TRM W 7 1090
TRM W 8 485
TRM W 9 496
TRM W 10 550
TRM W 11 470
TRM W 12 618
Tab 4.4: Salt concentration of well site-1
Tab 4.5: Salt concentration of well site-2
Tab 4.6: Salt concentration Surface Water

For the agricultural purpose we also need to know the water pH and EC. In our both site
we collect the PH and EC data form groundwater (Tube well) and surface data (Paddy
Field, pond and drain). The pH value is highly noticeable matter for rich production. In
Fig4.3 show the pH matter. The pH value 0 to <7 called acidic and >7 to 14 are called
basic. pH 7 is called the neutral. Below Table 4.8. Shown the pH data of our project site
Jalalpur and table 4.9 shown pH data project site 2 Khesra. The pH value of both site in a
range of 6.8 to 7.3 according to the pH scale water mostly neutral sometime it to a little
acidic or little alkaline. Form the relationship between salinity and pH table thus are
called the saline water.
The EC is also another factor that controlling the agricultural production. The effect of EC
value are given the table . According to our data the value of EC in our site Jalalpur there
left bank of the river EC value is higher (5>EC>2).But the other site of the river the EC value
is <1. Our project site-2 Khesra most of the EC value are same its range .5 to 1 but only
few 10% value are found in above 1.
EC (dS/m) Comments
>16 Difficult to grow except few crops
S4: 12.1 – 16 Very poor growth of tolerant crops
S3: 8.1 – 12 Poor growth of tolerant
S2: 4.1 – 8 Suitable for growing salt tolerant crops
S1: 2 - 4 Yield of non-tolerant crops reduced
<2 Little effect on yield of any crop
Source: Karim, et al,. (1990)
Tab 4.7: EC Value Related To Agriculture
Fig 4.3: pH Scale

Water Quality(EC, pH) Water Quality(EC, pH)
Well ID pH EC Well ID pH EC
TRM W 1 6.8 4.63 TRM W 1 7.1 1.93
TRM W 2 7 2.64 TRM W 2 6.5 0.66
TRM W 3 7 3.74 TRM W 3 6.9 0.69
TRM W 4 7 1.22 TRM W 4 6.9 0.53
TRM W 5 7.2 0.62 TRM W 5 7.3 0.75
TRM W 6 7.1 0.59 TRM W 6 7.2 0.58
TRM W 7 7.2 0.53 TRM W 7 7.2 1.5
TRM W 8 7.1 0.55 TRM W 8 7 0.67
TRM W 9 7.1 0.54 TRM W 9 7.1 0.68
TRM W 10 6.9 0.76
TRM W 11 7.2 .67
TRM W 12 7 0.85
4.2. Sediment logical Data Analysis
The causes of waterlogging is an indirect factor is the sedimentation process. Due to high
sediment deposit the river bank increase their elevation. The sediment load carried by
the river system is mostly silt and clay with 15-20% fine and very fine sand. The study area
is located on the lower part of the delta plain with lower elevations. The surface sediments
of the region are generally silts to clayey silts with generally <5% sand. Studies
based on 137Cs geochronology have shown that
the surface of the overall region is accumulating
sediments at rates up to 1.1cm/yr. (Fig 4.4)
Unfortunately that is not the case in the study area
as well as the Kobadak River where there have
been occurrence of siltation and waterlogging
due to drainage congestion. The drainage
congestion is considered to be a result of the
following reasons:
Tab 4.8: pH Value Project Site -1
Tab 4.9: pH Value Project Site -2
Fig 4.4: Deposit Sediment in river Bank

Polderization
No freshwater from upstream during dry season (mainly due to
construction of dams upstream)
Encroachment
Construction of unplanned bridges and roads that hinder natural flow
Siltation in streams influenced by tidal waters
Natural Subsidence
4.2.1. Type of Sediment
The recently deposited sediments were collected using sediment traps and analyzed
for grain size distribution using Hydrometer. The type of sand deposition is very to season
by season. In rainy season there have high tidal influence and it cries coarser sand than
the dry season. Due to rain in rainy season there erosion is high. Sampling by auger
method, up to ~2.5m deep, was carried out to determine the sediment types of
the monsoon season. The auger collected silt dominated samples throughout with
presence of clay and minor sands.
This type of soil is helpful for the some type of crops and have a great obstacles for others
crops. Like Shrubs and bulbs such as Tulips, Tree mallow, Sun roses, Hibiscus. Vegetable
root crops like carrots, parsnips and potatoes favor sandy soils. Lettuce, strawberries,
peppers, corn, squash, zucchini, collard greens and tomatoes are grown commercially
in sandy soils. Sometime it’s have a problem to paddy cultivation.
Sediment Quantity (%)
Sand 1.4% (Mostly Fine Sand)
Silt 6-21%
Clay 79-94%
4.2.2. Sediment quality
In terms of grain size, the sediments carried out and deposited by the river, are
predominantly silt with clay and, in cases, minor fine sand (<1%). The grain size
distribution is considered to be excellent with respect to cultivation and nutrients.
With the presence of nutrients, the floodplains are, either farming land or grazing land in
the dry period and is often subjected to waterlogging in the wet period. These
phenomena lead to significant availability of organic matter and their consequent
Tab 4.10: sediment quantity of our study area

decomposition. In this respect, the quality of the sediment for cultivation is excellent as
well.
In terms of the chemical types of nutrient, the timeframe of the study did not allow lengthy
and complex chemical analyses of the collected samples. But, the abundance of
paddy fields and other vegetation suggests that the sediments have proper nutrients
to support growth of vegetation in the area. However, with continuous cultivation
and little or absence of new sediment supply in the areas further away from the river,
there have been reports of significant decrease of the amount of paddy growth per unit
area. This phenomenon, in the areas further away from the river, is a result of nutrients
being depleted and lack of sediments input due to drainage congestion.
4.2.3. Sediment deposit
Little water flow has occurred from the upstream over the years. The Kabadak River has
been subjected to massive siltation as a result of the absence of water supply from
upstream. As a result river has been clogged up in different points leading to minor or no
flow from upstream.
The sedimentation has caused drainage congestion and decrease in river depth –
even less than a meter. The researcher suggested that the 300million tons of sediments
(400 million is deposited in the Bengal subaqueous delta in Bay of Bengal) that
drains through Meghna estuary are reworked by prevailing ocean currents, wave,
tidal actions and backtracks to the southwestern part of the coastal area.
The measured values have been recalculated to determine values of daily Sediment
deposition in term of height and weight. The factor that high tides and low tides occur
twice a day should also be noted.
Jalalpur: Jalalpur have shown sediment deposition of 0.1-0.7 cm/day. The average
sediment deposition is considered to be about 0.35 cm/day
Kheshra: Kheshra has sediment deposition rate of 0.2-0.83 cm/day with average of
0.45cm/day.
However, these sediments are loose and will undergo compaction, consolidation
and other processes, which will ultimately compress the sediments. These factors are
to be considered when calculating the amount being deposited in the study area.

4.2.4. Volume of project site and Estimate time to deposit
Project site -1 Jalalpur
In order to know how much sediment is
required to fill up the TRM++ site in Jalalpur
union, we measured length, width and
height of the filling site with respect to the
ground level. Findings are:
o Average width of the TRM++ site: 260
m
o Average Length of the TRM++ site: 450
m
o Average height of the TRM++ site: 0.87
m
o Volume of the proposed TRM++ site:
(Length x height x height) =
(450x260x0.87)= 100620 m3
Average rate of deposition in Jalalpur TRM++site is 0.0035 m. So, the deposition within the
TRM boundary in Jalalpur site is 409.5m3/d. Total no of day required to fill up the TRM site
245 if there is no regulation of the site and without compaction.
Project site -2 Khesra
In order to know how much sediment is required to fill up the TRM++ site in khesra union,
we measured length, width and height of the filling site with respect to the polder level.
Findings are:
o Average width of the TRM++ site: 260 m
o Average Length of the TRM++ site: 525
m
o Average height of the TRM++ site: 1.7 m
o Volume of the proposed TRM++ site:
(Length x height x height) =
(525x260x1.7)=232050 m3
Average rate of deposition in Jalalpur
TRM++site is 0.0045 m. So, the deposition
within the TRM boundary in Jalalpur site is
614.25m3/d. Total no of day required to fill
up the TRM site 377 day if there is no regulation
of the site and without compaction.
Fig 4.5: Height of the Project Area Site-1
Fig 4.6: Height of the Project Area Site-2

Relative Height & Total Height (TRM S1) Relative Height & Total Height (TRM S2)
Point ID Height Point ID Height RH
TRM H 1 0.45 m TRM H 1 2.24 m .75 m
TRM H 2 0.43 m TRM H 2 1.89 m 0.71 m
TRM H 3 0.51 m TRM H 3 1.63 m 0.64 m
TRM H 4 0.56 m TRM H 4 1.48 m 0.77 m
TRM H 5 0.53 m TRM H 5 1.7 m 0.60 m
TRM H 6 0.61 m TRM H 6 2.25 m 0.89 m
TRM H 7 1.1 m TRM H 7 1.7 m
TRM H 8 1 m TRM H 8 2 m
TRM H 9 1 m TRM H 9 1.25 m
TRM H 10 0.53 m TRM H 10 1.25 m
TRM H 11 .92 m TRM H 11 1.5m
TRM H 12 1.59 m TRM H 12 1.5 m
TRM H 13 1.5 m TRM H 13 1.5 m
TRM H 14 1.5 m TRM H 14 1.5 m
TRM H 15 1.5 m
TRM H 16 0.3 m
TRM H 17 0.6 m
4.3. FGD and KII data analysis
There are different ways of understanding the meaning of the term vulnerability.
Generally it could be said that vulnerability means the degree to which an
individual, a household, a community or an area may be adversely affected by a
hazard or an event (Zyl, 2010). To be vulnerable is to exist with a likelihood that some
kind of crisis may occur that will damage one’s health, life or property and resources
on which health and life depend (Anderson, 1995).
Beyond this common thread the idea of vulnerability is relative. Birkmann (2007),
wrote, “Vulnerability is a dynamic, inherent characteristic of each community which
contains a multitude of components”.
According to United Nations IDNDR3 (1992), “We must be able to identify and
assess
vulnerabilities in different places and times in order to design timely, affordable
and effective strategies for reducing the negative impacts of disasters”. But the
assessment of vulnerability to disasters is a complex issue. Different experts have tried to

analyze it from different angles and developed scattered indicators for assessment.
Anderson (1995) has analyzed the trends of vulnerability assessment in existing
literature and found the variation of assessment from different aspects. He identified
three significant threads in the existing literature on vulnerability assessment and based
upon that, tried to develop a framework for vulnerability assessment. At earlier times
disaster studies identified natural hazards as the cause of vulnerability. This group was
dominated by scientists, technologists and engineers. Vulnerability could be reduced
through an early warning system and developed technologies to mitigate the negative
impacts of hazards. Technical intervention was the yardstick of assessment here. On
the other hand, economists considered cost as a cause and tried to assess how much
vulnerability reduction is rational. Despite the development of modern early prediction
system and other technologies, economists argued that people continue to die
from disasters as they could not afford costly technologies and remain unwilling to
use them. Vulnerability reduction has some cost and people need to make a rational
choice between future safety and present consumption need. In a nutshell, economists
argue that a number of economic variables must be considered in the
understanding of vulnerability. The third group came out of the critics of two former
school and more human centric. According to them, it is human being who
experiences the hazards in different places, in different conditions. People
acknowledge and interpret vulnerability differently-even though they might experience
the same. It is largely human actions, decisions and choices that results in peoples’
vulnerability to natural events. In this third school social
scientists, policy reformers, advocates to poor and environmentalists entered the
scene. They shuffled and incorporated additional variables into the concept of
vulnerability. “Vulnerability assessment”, according to the third school requires, “far
more contextual analysis of complex and multifaceted factors that cause people to
make the decisions and choices and to undertake the actions that increase
vulnerability”.
Vulnerability has lot of factors but according to the third approach, they are context
specific and gives freedom to the agency to assess it. Disaster risk management
seeks to reduce the vulnerability of those communities most at risk through improved
access to services, development opportunities, information, education and
empowerment. It also seeks to enable communities at all levels to uphold the optimal
use, conservation and protection of the natural resources of the country. Here we
have tried to adopt the third approach and based on the result of FGD analysis
we move on forward to find out the inherent dynamics of people’s vulnerability to
waterlogging.
FGD Analysis and Interpretation
4.3.1. Shahzadpur & Gazipara (Khesra Union)

Khesra union is located in Tala upazila of Satkhira district, with an area of 47.84 square
km. The union is surrounded by Jalalpur, Magura and Khalishkhali unions. Total
population of Khesra union is 25603 and the number of households is 5,523. 25.01 of the
population of Khesra lives below the poverty line. Only 6.30 % households are connected
with electricity. Out of the total household 53.3 % are farmers, 28.1 % are laborers and 7.7
% are businessman and 3.09 % are services holders. Hygienic latrine user is 37.7 %. The
union has 5.3 km flood protection embankment. There is no cyclone shelter in Khesra.
FGD’s were arranged in three villages of
Khesra union: Shahzadpur, Gazipara and Shalikha.
These two adjacent villages have same geographical and socio-economic
characteristics. Most of the people depend on agricultural farming for livelihood.
While men work in the farmland, women are used to working within the household.
These villages were hit by cyclone Aila in 2009 and the devastating flood in 2011. But
facing troubles with water is a part of their day to day life. Due to low elevation of land,
it remains waterlogged for a long time every year. During monsoon cheo land gets under
1-2 feet water. The shallow river cannot hold monsoon overflow and make people suffer.
However, the water do not move back with monsoon. Cheo lands remain marshy
for some more period and kills the season ripe for aman production. Since the intrusion
of saline water with Ailla, fertility of land has eroded here. Previously diversified crops like:
Sugarcane, Beatle leaves, cauliflower, turmeric, date, radish, mustard, garlic etc.
were produced but now they only could cultivate rice. Persistent waterlogging has
brought down the amount of crop production in these villages.
Over last five years the number of casualties from disasters have been low. Early
warning system almost entirely prevented any death of lives as people could go to
government shelters or safer places elsewhere. But the non-human casualties have been
high. Most of the people in
Shahzadpur and Gazipara have domestic animals like: cow, goat, hen etc. There was
none in the village who could save his livestock in the cyclone and flood. Waterlogging
has also added misery in the food supply of livestock. “We could not afford the animals
any food for survival during waterlogging”- an old farmer was saying while citing the
reason that grass couldn’t grow in field and the dry grazing zone for animals become
limited every year. During this crisis productivity of animals goes down and some
animals died of starvation in recent years.
The chronic problem of waterlogging has also changed the building structure in these
villages. The cost of brick made house is very high that could not be afforded by these
poor people. But the earthen house has short durability and cannot hold on water.
As a result people are now replacing the old structure with CI sheet, brick or other
water resistant materials at high cost. It was found that people are living in half

constructed houses as they did not have more money to finish the construction.
There were houses with incomplete window or door and people were living trading
off their safety and security. An old man was saying “Our forefathers used to live in
earthen house but we cannot due to waterlogging”. This statement irrevocably proves
that water logging is a modern disaster.
This village was not originally a cheo land. It is the rising river bed and blocked canals
bringing the misery which speeded up since the cyclone in 2009. Some people
had to take loan from local usurers at high interest to build house. They did not
have access to formal credit institutions for this purpose.
Though agriculture is the prime source of employment of people in Shahzadpur and
Gazipara, during water logging they have no farmland job. Frequent migration round the
year is a common phenomenon in this area. Whenever there is a better and
sustainable opportunity of work people tend to migrate. During the winter season many
people go to work in the brick kilns for six months. Some people go to Bay of Bengal for
fishing. Rare elsewhere but common here is the case of international migration to
India. Satkhira has border with India and many people from Shahzadpur and
Gazipara had experiences of international migration. However this entire process is illegal
and there is no government supervision on it. This also involves high stakes and people
had to risk their lives while illegally crossing borders. In anonymity some locals
confessed that they were being jailed in India for three months after being caught by
police. The pull factor for this risky venture is the wage incentive in India. In
exchange of the same labor people could earn better in West Bengal than Satkhira.
Waterlogging has further intensified this migration in last five years. The alarming issue of
migration is the rate of drop out in schools. A local school teacher said he could notice
some senior boys in junior class who, when asked for the breakup of study, said that they
went to India for work. In every household of this area there was at least one person
who have illegally migrated to India for work. There are relatives of Bangladeshi
people living in West Bengal of India. But there were very few in Gazipara and
Shahzadpur who paid a visit to the relatives with passport and visa. Due to lower
amount of income they cannot pay for the legal documents required for crossing
borders.
The misery of waterlogging is not only due to the contraction of river. There were some
canals connecting the cheo lands to river earlier. Locals said that these canals exist no
more as they have already been filled up. Owners of those lands have built structure
over there which has thwarted the exit of water from cheo lands. Some people
were saying they do not need any TRM if those canals could be freed and re-
excavated. There was strong perception against
TRM among most of the poor people in this locality. They were saying “If TRM is
materialized then our surrounding lands would be high and we would then be
permanently waterlogged”. Some of them were proposing to elevate the land of their
houses and then implement the TRM.

TRM site in Khesra union is situated by the side of river. This piece of land has higher
elevation than the villages. It was found that waterlogging in village happens from
rainfall as the water cannot find a way down to river. There were no devastating floods
since 2011. According to the union’s chairman, in last two years, proposed lands for TRM
have been cultivated for both aman & boro rice. But still these lands are at risk of being
flooded anytime. TRM will drive out this risk and investors would be certain of their
outputs. For this reason all of the landowners were supporting TRM in Khesra union.
Some land owners were suspicious despite the support for TRM about the fertility
of this new land. They demanded for scientific scrutiny of the silt to be dropped in
TRM project.
Land owners vis a vis local residents could be a crisis for TRM implementation.
These two groups must reach an agreement as a prerequisite for any successful
technical intervention.
Locals demand for TRM in whole village was not financially affordable while information
on the impact of TRM project in these villages was not clear. The vulnerability
coming out of incomplete information must be addressed through proper technical
and managerial interventions. Shalikha (Khesra Union)
The village Shalikha is located within khesra union. Shalikha river is flowing by the side of
this village and TRM is going to be implemented in this area from December of 2014.
Shalikha is a cluster village. During 1980’s Government of Bangladesh rehabilitated
landless people from nearby areas in this khas land and built a cluster village.
Since then they are living here and most of them work as agricultural day labors. Except
the piece of allotted land for building home the people of Shalikha village own no other
extra land.
Shalikha area did not have the problem of waterlogging when water in river was on
motion. But over the years, river was gradually deposited with sediment and the
subsequent incident was flood in surrounding areas during monsoon. During flood
people went to government shelters.
Most of the poor people are supporting TRM not for the reason that it will permanently
relieve them of waterlogging but the high lands could no more be used for shrimp
cultivation. A local old man was saying, “TRM would ensure us with job security”. Currently
the cheo lands are almost being used for shrimp and fish cultivation. But this venture
does not generate as much employment as agriculture could. In per bigha of
land, agriculture could generate employment opportunities for 5-6 persons while
shrimp cultivation could hardly afford one wage earner.
Migration is very high in this area for this reason. People go elsewhere round the year for
work. During monsoon they go for fishing in Bay of Bengal. They also go to Dhaka or
nearest cities to work as day labors, rickshaw puller, home servants etc. If there were
agricultural cultivation than shrimp, this would not happen. But delving deep within
the issue revealed another political economic dimension of this phenomenon.

Small landowners from this area want to cultivate crops in their land. But almost all of
them have little choice. They are forced to give lease of their land to gher owners. “I was
not willing to give lease of my land,” an old was saying, “but I found the small landowners
beside me had already given the lease”. This developed an awkward condition for the
old man. He was in the middle of water and seemed like he had to cultivate in an
island after giving embankment. There are some compradors of gher owners who,
according to the locals, were provoking the land owners for leasing the land to gher
owners for shrimp cultivation. As a result the landless poor people were not getting any
job. Also it was found that the gher owners did not have trust on local people for
their opposition to shrimp cultivation. For that reason poor residents of shalikha were not
offered to work in gher. Shrimp is one of the largest export items of Bangladesh which
has been regarded as our “white gold”. But the situation in shalikha reveals that
this economic activity does not ensure the benefits of growth are distributed
amongst the commons. When TRM will be done, the cheo lands would be high and no
more shrimp could be produced in this area. This would drastically reduce the profit
of the shrimp cultivators and all of them were protesting against TRM in this area.
As shalikha was under TRM implementation, this could be a lesson for other areas
where government wants to implement TRM. During the two years of implementation a
compensation of 14000 BDT per bigha will be provided to landowners. There would be
no production for this long time in field and landowners will have no income. But
the age old complain against apparatchik was again found from landowners. “We
were asked for bribe and hassled if we did not pay them”- a small landowner was
demanding for transparency in the process while pointing out troubles he faced for
getting compensation.
4.3.2. Jalalpur
Jalalpur union is located in Tala upazila of Satkhira district, with an area of 24.10
square km. The union is surrounded by Khalilnagar, Magura and Khesra unions. The total
population of the union is 22501 and the number of households is 5061. 25.01% of
the population of Jalalpur lives below the poverty line. Only 19.03% of the households
have access to electricity. Out of the total household, 48.5 % are farmers, 24.8 % are
laborers, 13.9 % are businessman and 2.91 % are services holders. Hygienic latrine user
is 46.8 %. There is 4.22 km flood protection embankment. Also there is one cyclone
shelter in Jalalpur.

Jalapur union has also problems of water logging for last five years. The area is relatively
high than khesra and during Aila or the flood of 2011, houses in Jalalpur were lightly
affected than khesra. However the cheo lands were intruded with saline water
during Aila. Since then the fertility of land has decreased. “Previously we could produce
diverse agricultural products and two times a year”, a man was describing his plight and
he added more that, “we could only till the land just one time in last two years”.
Due to higher elevation the households are not affected during monsoon, only the
lands for cultivation are affected. As the houses remain safe, livestock also remains safe.
During the flood of 2011, some livestock died of starvation but except that no such
casualty has happened. Most of the people work as agricultural day labors during winter.
In monsoon they work as fishermen.
According to local people they could earn much from fishing when the river was
alive. Kapotakha river was also a key route of communication for them. Their income
from fishing in the river has drastically reduced in recent years. The relative density of
hindu population is higher than other area in Jalalpur. For this reason the social strata is
built upon caste system. There are specific community assigned for a specific
economic activity in lifetime. Women in this area work within the household while men
go to field for work.
Most of the people in this area have not heard the name of TRM. The women are more
unaware than men regarding this issue. Some women told that they do not know
if any such activities have been taken in their area while some men were saying that
they have heard the cheo lands would be made high by government. TRM is a mystery
word for most of them.
Elements at risk Possible vulnerabilities which allow this
impact
Land Lower productivity
Reduced fertility
Livestock Starvation
Death
House Unstable

Reconstruction cost
Livelihood Job insecurity
Food insecurity
Income insecurity
Risky migration
Social cohesion Corruption
Conflict
Mistrust
Chaos

5.1. Disaster of This Area
Our study area is one of the hazards prone area of southern part of Bangladesh. Most of
the meteorological hazards are coming here in a cyclic duration. Here slow and Fast one
set both type of disaster heat.
Most of the type of Hydrometer logical hazard are visited here. Due to low land area here
the effect of sea level rise is very high. The disaster are Coastal (Surge), Fluvial (River) and
Pluvial (Surface) Flood, Cyclone, Water-logging, Salinity and many other biological
Disaster.
Floods are common disaster in our study area, this fold are come in rainy season. As a
coastal region here many types of flood are affected. Like coastal flood/Surge are
affected this area when the sea water level rise. In rainy season when river water level is
rise due to sea level rise then it flooded the river bank. Fluvial flood is most common type
of flood. In every rainy season its will come. The pluvial flood is occur in heavy rain.
Cyclone is a common
devastating disaster in our
country. In every year we
face this disaster. Most of the
cyclone hit our coastal
region. As our study area is
one of the most vulnerable
area.
Map 5.1. Cyclone Risk Area Map of Bangladesh

5.1.1. Water-logging
From beginning of the 21st century a
new problem “water logging” (the
long-term inundation of areas as a
result of inadequate drainage) arose in
south-west coastal region of
Bangladesh. It has become an
increasing problem in recent years for a
variety of reasons: natural changes in
river flow; increased sediment in
riverbeds due to reduced sediment
deposition on floodplains protected by
embankments; and a lack of proper
operation and maintenance of sluice
gates of the polders i.e. circular
embankments. Water-logging is a
pressing concern at the backdrop of
climate change that becomes worsens
for the people of Tala Upazila. The prolonged water-logging has caused significant
displacement presenting humanitarian challenges in safe water supply, sanitation,
shelter, food security, and employment opportunity. There are areas where people are
compelled to live in waterlogged condition for nine months in a year; even many
cultivated crop lands are permanently inundated losing valuable agricultural production
especially rice. Socio-economic and agricultural activities have largely been hampered
due to water logging. The local people are seriously shocked especially in the rainy
season when peak monsoon intercepts
the region. Loss of livelihoods due to
submergence of land often forces male
to go far away for weeks in search of
alternative livelihoods. Women being
the primary care giver of the family are
compelled to live within the
waterlogged premises, shouldering the
entire burden for managing and
cooking food, collecting drinking water,
taking care of the family members and
their livestock as well.
Social demoralization, diseases,
unemployment and migration have
increased in the locality where the
places protracted by water-logging.
People living is seemed either bitter fate or
Map 5.2. Affected by Waterlogging of Southwestern District
Fig 5.1: Situation of waterlogging

curse beyond the grip. The marooned people face portrayed with uncertain
hopelessness, having no options but to accept their destiny against their own will.Due to
the permanent water congestion sudden flood is occurred during the rainy months. In
the other words, the water logging situation causes recurring flood in every monsoon.
Among the affected areas of Satkhira, Tala is the worst hit and experiencing severe and
year-round water logging. The situation makes agriculture activities impossible.
Biodiversity is threatened and cultivable land has shrunk. The situation is so harsh that
there is no other way out, but to live with water. Although the dimension of water logging
problem was little in the initial stage that slowly increased over the years but the situation
has been compounded from 2006 and a maximum disaster was observed during the
downpour of 2011 monsoon. The situation is expected to worsen more to the days to
come. The cost of people’s suffering therefore must be weighed against the cost of
adaptation.
While there is a very little specific research on the water logging problem, it is believed
that climate change could further exacerbate this issue through changes in
sedimentation and river-flow, increased monsoon rainfall and retarded discharge of
rivers due to back water effect and sea-level rise. Although the water logging sometimes
caused large scale disaster in the regions but the research initiatives for mitigating the
problem have not been taken into account so that specific policies can be tailored to
minimize the risks and maximize the benefits for individuals, households and communities.
Therefore the study was aimed to analyze the problem for formulating befitted policy in
order to overcome the water logging problem in south-west coastal region of
Bangladesh.
District
Total
population
of district
(2011 census)
Affected
uppazillas
Total
population of
affected
uppazillas
(2011
projection)
Population
affected
Affected
population
as a % of
total
population
of uppazilla
Uppazilla
figures for
education
facilities fully or
partially
damaged
Satkhira 1,973,000
Assasuni 326729 127850 39.13% 111
Tala 329085 225400 68.49% 57
Kalaroa 247704 89164 36.00% 24
Sakhira
Sadar
458702 220600 48.09% 37
Debhata 132958 72500 54.53% 7
Table 5.1 : Magnitude of the prolonged water logging: Numbers of people affected
5.1.2. Salinity
Soil salinity is the salt content in the soil; the process of increasing the salt content is known
as salinization. Salts occur naturally within soils and water. Salination can be caused by
natural processes such as mineral weathering or by the gradual withdrawal of an ocean.
It can also come about though artificial processes such as irrigation.

The coastal area covers about 20% of the total area of Bangladesh which is 147,570 km2
the country and over 30% of the net is cultivable area. It extends inside up to 150 km from
the coast. Out of 2.85 million hectares of the coastal and offshore areas, about 0.83
million hectares are arable lands, which cover over 30% of the total cultivable lands of
Bangladesh. A part of the coastal area, the Sundarbans, is a reserve natural mangrove
forest covering about 4,500 km2. The remaining part of the coastal area is used in
agricultural purpose. The cultivable areas in coastal districts are affected with varying
degrees of soil and water salinity. The coastal and offshore area of Bangladesh includes
tidal, estuaries and river floodplains in the south along the Bay of Bengal. Agricultural land
use in these areas is very poor, which is roughly 50% of the country’s average. Salinity
causes unfavorable environment and hydrological situation that restrict normal crop
production throughout the year. The freshly deposited alluviums from upstream in the
coastal areas of Bangladesh become saline as it comes in contact with the sea water
and continues to be inundated during high tides and ingress of sea waterthrough creeks.
The factors which contribute significantly to the development of saline soils include, tidal
flooding during wet season (June to October), direct inundation by saline or brackish
water and upward or lateral movement of saline ground water during dry season
(November to May). The main goal of this research is to achieve the following specific
objectives: sought to investigate soil and water salinity condition in south-western zone of
Bangladesh as well as the effect of salinity on crop production and unveiling a possible
solution for reducing these effects.
People of Tala are highly dependent on the natural resource base in sustaining their
livelihoods. Agriculture and fishery are important economic sectors, employing a large
proportion of the population, and aquaculture is increasingly being pursued as an
alternative livelihood option for rural households. Major agricultural crops include rice,
betel leaves, fruits and vegetables, mustard and oilseeds, coconut and sugarcane. The
region is densely populated, and most farm families cultivate the scarce land resources
intensively, resulting in land degradation and reduced productivity. This situation is
compounded by increasing salinity and water logging which further reduces potential
cultivating land by increasing salinity and water logging, further reducing the availability
of cultivable land. Fishing provides employment to a large number of families, on a full or
part-time basis. In addition to its contribution to the major economic sectors, the natural
resource base provides coastal people with materials for building houses, cooking fuel,
raw materials for handicrafts, etc. It is clear that people in this region are highly vulnerable
to water disaster. Moreover the water disasters which have always plagued Bangladesh
due to its natural setting, impacts of anthropogenic interventions are creating further
challenges to the country's sustainable development. The predicted impacts of water
disaster will only increase the difficulties coastal people face in securing their livelihoods,
maintaining health and safety, and achieving sustainable development.

5.2. Causes of Disaster
5.2.1. Causes of Waterlogging
Change the Entrance of Ganga/Padma River
The main river flow of Ganga River before 16th century, the major water flows of Ganges
run through Bhagirothi which divided into eight types of flow, it met the sea over the 24
Porogona and Khulna. Basically, Jessore, Khulna, Kushtia, 24 Porogona, Murshidabad,
Krisnonagar, Faridpur and Barisal were formed by the alluvial soil from the flow of the
Ganges and the soil was very fertile. But after that period it gradually turned towards
south-east part with the help of nature. As a result the water flow of upstream gradually
decreases into the rivers of this region and those rivers began to lost their depth, shape
and capacity. Besides the lack of sweet water flow stared for the change of direction of
Ganga River and the agriculture damages which depend upon sweet water. It also
protects the deposit of silt which brought with the upstream flow. As a result the land
elevation of this region can’t rise and rivers began to dead.
The death of Kabadak River
The Kopotakkho river is narrated by the great poet Michael Madhusudan Dutta. He rightly
narrated of its beauty and of the abundant flow of the river, a river that entwines lives of
millions of people of the southern region of Bangladesh.
Rivers of those regions totally deprived from the upstream flow of water for the death of
branch river of Ganga named Mathavanga at the period of nineteenth century. In past
it was used as a communication path with Kalkata (India) and for the heavy flow of
water, sometimes navy-accident occurred and people also died for those accidents. So
for the decrease of heavy water flow of Mathavanga River, broad boats filling with soils
were sung towards the entrance mouth of this river. Though at that period this technique
was succeed, but after some periods it showed negative impact on this river and at last
this river was detached from the main river Ganga
The rivers named Kobodak which had linkage with the Mathavanga River and the
depended people of those rivers were also begun to deprive form fresh water. For the
lack of upstream river flow, at the time of ebb-tide siltation occurred and river begun to
lose their speed. That silt are started to deposit into those rivers. So it filled with the silt and
can’t pass the upstream water flow.
Declination of Land
It is observed that the land of south-eastern coastal region is declined for many hundred
years. Before establishing the coastal embankment, the rate of land formation with silt
was higher than the land declination of today. So gradually the height of land was
growing but after establishing embankment, the formulation of land is destroyed. Last 30-

40 years land declines and the area within polder goes under compare to the height of
river and also siltation into the river. So water logging occurred into those polders.
Unplanned Structure Development
Before establishing the polder in this region, rivers and boats were the only one way of
communication for traffic and goods. But after establishing the embankment, it began
to use as a walking path. In the next period, more roads, culverts and bridges are also
developed here. As a result problem arises for discharging the water from those regions.
Because the slope of land in those regions towards north-south direction but maximum
structures are developed in the face of east-west side. At the construction period of those
structures, many cannels and discharge path of water being closed but comparely less
number of culverts are developed at that time. Again maximum culverts didn’t construct
as the necessary height for water discharge and pillars of bridges also help to siltation. So
rivers and cannels lost their natural flow of water and create water logging at those
regions.
Shrimp Cultivation
Now maximum wet-land in those coastal regions is engaged on shrimp cultivation. 42%
agricultural land of greater Khulna district is used now as shrimp cultivation. The sluice-
gates controller and the owners of Ghers (shrimp cultivation land) have a bad collusion
and they entered the salty water for this cultivation. So the vast beyond area of those
Gh-ers are water logged.
Loss of Drainage Capacity of Kabodak in the Region
The major river of Tala is Kabodak. The water flow in Satkhira district reach the sea through
Kabodak. Because of coastal embankment, the tidal wetland has experienced severe
environmental impairments in this region. The riverbed of Kabodak has been raised
because of loss of navigation capacity because of lack of drainage channels.
5.2.2. Cause of Salinity
Salinity rate in Study area of Tala
The term salinity used here refers to the total dissolved concentration of major inorganic
ions (Na, Ca, Mg, K, HCO3, SO4 and Cl) in irrigation or ground waters. TDS, EC are measured
using an Electrical conductivity meter (Hanna Company). An approximate relation between
EC and total salt concentration is 1 dS/m = 10 mmolc/l = 700 mg/l(because it also
depends upon specific ionic composition). Electrical conductivity values are expressed
at a standard temperature of 25 °C. The electrical conductivity of water is actually a
measure of salinity. High salinity affect plants …..
 Specific toxicity of a particular ion (such as Sodium)
 Higher osmotic pressure around the roots prevents an efficient water absorption
by the plant.

Water class Electrical
conductivity dS/m
Salt concentration
mg/l
Type of water
Non-saline <0.7 <500 Drinking and irrigation
water
Slightly saline 0.7 – 2 500-1500 Irrigation water
Moderately
saline
2 – 10 1500-7000 Primary drainage water
and groundwater
Highly saline 10-25 7000-15 000 Secondary drainage water
and groundwater
Very highly
saline
25 – 45 15 000-45 000 Very saline groundwater
Brine >45 >45 000 Seawater
Source: FAO1
Table 5.2.: Classification of saline water
5.3. Effect of These Disasters
5.3.1. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
The majority of male and female community groups, when asked directly if safe drinking
and cooking water was a problem, responded “yes”. In all cases the problem was
reported more by female groups than by men. This reflects that the burden of water
collection and care falls largely on women. As discussed in other parts of this report,
although clean drinking water can be considered an issue for affected populations, it
does not appear to an urgent immediate priority in relation to other needs. Graphs below
indicate that the primary sources for drinking water are shallow and deep tube wells with
little drinking water being take from unsafe sources.
Issues relating to water need to be understood in relation to global SPHERE standards;
people should have access to 3 liters of water per person per day (for average
Bangladeshi households this is approximately thus 15 liters per day). In addition to
minimum quantity of water for drinking SPHERE recommends that individuations need
between 5 and 12 liters / person / day for other purposes such as bathing, washing
clothes and cleaning utensils. This equates to a total of approximately 25 to 60 liters of
water per day per household. Although the assessment did not measure the total water
volume households have access to, the results from figure 11 indicate that some of the
population is well below these standards. More information from sector specialists will be
useful to identify specifically the problems related to drinking water. These appear to be
related to the time and distance taken to acquire it and containers in which to store it

(see below). Further surveys should also address frequentation of the water sources and
water quality in terms of faecal contamination, turbidity, salinity, and chemicals.
Drinking water may become a significant priority as recovery begins when many families
will go home to areas where water sources have been damaged. Additionally access
may become increasingly difficult when boats can no longer be used to access more
distant points and transport water. The situation in relation to drinking water is likely to
deteriorate as water recedes and areas currently traversable by boat to carry water turn
to mud. Water points at “home” locations have been submerged as a result of the
flooding and will require rehabilitation.
Marooned Collective
centers
Roadsides and
embankments
Damaged/wat
er-logged
houses
Houses that
are visually
undamaged
Percentage of “yes it is a serious problem” for male and female groups
M F M F M F M F M F
71% 80% 63% 75% 63% 79% 77% 93% 27% 75%
Table5.3: Community perceptions of drinking/cooking water being a serious problem at
the sites now
5.3.2. Food
As indicated earlier access to food was identified by the communities as their first priority
right now. The most frequently reported problems in relation to food by female groups
were “not enough food” (60 responses), “not good enough food” (42), and cooking fuel
(39) and cooking facilities (34).
FGD and KII carried out a rapid food security assessment focused on Satkhira at Tala at
Khesra and Jalalpur. The present multi-sector assessment did not seek to duplicate the
food security assessment undertaken by these agencies specializing in food and
livelihoods.
5.3.4. Housing and Shelter
Most houses built with mud and other primary natural materials were damaged by the
inundation. These houses were built on raised ground (plinth) one or two feet above the
flood level. So during the time of flood and water logging stage they have to leave their
houses. Some displaced people may not return to their homes as their houses were badly
damaged. This indicates that many of the people presently displaced will remain so until
flood waters recede enough for rebuilding on their homes to start and until they are able
to get access to materials needed for repairs and rebuilding. People were very uncertain
about how long it would be before they could return home, due to: i) the severity of
damage to their houses and property and ii) the length of time it would be before they

Water logging problem of tala upazila,satkhira, bangladesh

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