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road. Locals warn that if this section gives way, nearby villages will be flooded and Aman paddy seedbeds will be destroyed.

Latif Sarder, a resident of Batiaghata Bazar, said, “We’ve informed the Water Development Board many times. But they’ve done nothing. We urgently demand that immediate and effective erosion control measures be taken before it’s too late.”

Debproshad Mondal, executive director of LoCOS, a local NGO, said with climate change intensifying tidal surges and river behaviour, long-term embankment reinforcement and sustainable road protection projects are urgently needed.

Contacted, Ashraful Alam, executive engineer of Khulna Water Development Board-2, said, “There is always some time lag due to bureaucratic procedures. The project file has already been sent to Dhaka, and work will begin shortly.”