The aftermath of Cyclone Remal, which struck on May 27, 2024, has left the residents of Dhalchar in Bhola’s Charfasson upazila in complete disarray. The powerful currents and relentless water flow have washed away homes and farmland, uprooted trees, and left the embankments vulnerable.
The struggle for survival has left the islanders torn between rebuilding their homes and preparing for the upcoming hilsa fishing season. The absence of a crucial canal has further deepened the crisis, leaving the residents desperate and uncertain about their livelihoods.
Dhalchar, located at the estuary of the sea, has long suffered from recurring natural disasters. However, the impact of Cyclone Remal has worsened the island’s existing problems. Canals that once provided safe docking for fishing trawlers—such as Porir Canal, Dhalchar Canal, Tower Bazar Canal, and Amin Mia Canal—have vanished into the river. Now, fishermen are left asking a crucial question: where will the hilsa trawlers dock this year?
Local fisherman Nuruddin Maji expressed his despair, stating that they have changed docking locations multiple times, but now there is no viable fish landing station left in Dhalchar. There are no docking facilities, leaving them anxious about how they will manage in the coming months. Many other fishermen, including Taiyeb Ali Maji and Sahabuddin Maji, echoed the same concerns. The situation has become even more dire as the monsoon approaches, intensifying the crisis for those dependent on hilsa fishing for survival.
Every year, Dhalchar plays a crucial role in the hilsa trade, contributing approximately Tk 200 crore during the three-month monsoon season. The island accommodates nearly 5,000 trawlers and 40,000–50,000 fishermen, along with traders and workers from various regions. Beyond fishing, Dhalchar has historically served as a shelter for trawlers caught in storms. However, with the island itself struggling for stability, how will it provide refuge to others?
The absence of government initiatives to develop fish landing facilities has only compounded the crisis. Despite Dhalchar’s significant contribution to the national hilsa trade, no measures have been taken to address the infrastructural challenges. In past years, the lack of safe docking areas forced fishermen to leave their boats in the open sea, leading to the loss of numerous vessels and lives due to the rough waters of the Meghna River and the Bay of Bengal.
Former chairman of Dhalchar, Abdus Salas Howlader, explained that due to river erosion, more than half of the island has disappeared into the water, including the once-functional canals. This has left fishermen with no safe shelter during storms, putting their lives and trawlers at risk.
Fisherman Sahabuddin Maji urged the government to excavate a canal, emphasizing that they are poor people who only wish for a single canal to sustain their livelihoods. Hilsa trader Shariful Islam also highlighted the importance of government intervention, stating that with proper canal excavation, the region could contribute significantly to hilsa exports.
Although the Water Development Board had allocated Tk 44 lakh for a canal excavation project in Dhalchar, weak leadership and objections from forest officials resulted in the cancellation of the funding.
As the hilsa season approaches, the residents of Dhalchar remain in limbo, hoping for urgent government action to ensure their survival and the continuation of a vital trade that supports thousands of families.