Mothbaria, Aug 13 (V7N) — In Mirukhali Union of Mothbaria upazila, Pirojpur, normal burial is impossible due to severe waterlogging caused by illegal embankments, forcing families to bury the dead in raised brick and stone tombs instead of digging graves. This human-made disaster has persisted for over 15 years, impacting thousands of residents and creating immense hardship.
 
The village of Badura faces chronic flooding because five unauthorized embankments block the natural tidal flow of the Bishkhali-Baleshwar river. Despite numerous protests, petitions, and media coverage, local authorities and higher government offices have failed to remove these barriers. An attempted embankment breach by villagers on January 2, 2025, was delayed after military, police, and administrative officials intervened and promised action, but no progress has been made.
 
The situation has drawn legal attention, with the Barisal-based Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) filing a public interest lawsuit (Case No. 12731/2024). On January 27, 2025, the High Court Division ordered the removal of illegal embankments within three months, deeming the structures unlawful and against public interest. However, authorities have not complied, and coordination among various agencies remains poor.
 
When contacted, Mirukhali Union Parishad Administrator and Youth Development Officer Mojibur Rahman claimed ignorance and promised to inform relevant officials. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdul Kaiyum said the embankment removal process is ongoing. Pirojpur Deputy Commissioner Md. Ashraful Alam Khan declined to comment, citing lack of information.
 
The ongoing waterlogging severely disrupts normal burial practices, forcing families to use costly alternatives and causing deep distress. Without urgent intervention, the crisis threatens to worsen, highlighting a failure of governance and the urgent need for coordinated action to restore natural water flow and alleviate community suffering.
 
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