Six years after Super Cyclone Amphan tore through the Satkhira coast, thousands of people in the region are still struggling to recover from the devastation that reshaped their lives.
On May 20, 2020, Amphan struck the coastal district with wind speeds reaching 148 kilometres per hour, according to the Meteorological Office. The cyclone raged for nearly 15 hours, triggering tidal surges of up to 12 feet and causing widespread destruction across Satkhira. Initial estimates placed the total damage at around Tk1100 crore.
Even today, residents of the coastal belt say the trauma of the disaster remains fresh, with many still living in fear of embankment breaches, tidal flooding and economic uncertainty.
District administration data show that 12,698 fish farms suffered losses worth Tk176.5 crore, while agricultural damage exceeded Tk137.6 crore, including losses to mango orchards, vegetable fields, betel leaf farms and sesame cultivation.
The livestock sector incurred losses of more than Tk 95.48 crore. A total of 83,413 houses were damaged across the district, including 22,515 that were completely destroyed. In addition, 81 kilometres of roads and 56.5 kilometres of embankments were damaged.
The worst-hit areas included Burigoalini, Gabura, Padmapukur and Kashimari unions in Shyamnagarupazila, along with Sriula and Pratapnagar unions in Assasuniupazila, where embankments collapsed and vast areas were inundated.
Thousands of residents remained stranded for more than two years as damaged embankments could not be repaired quickly. In many places, tidal water continued flowing in and out of flooded localities, forcing families to endure inhumane living conditions.
Saidul Islam, a resident of Pratapnagar, said the area had escaped major destruction during Cyclone Aila, but Amphan left unprecedented devastation after embankments gave way.
“For more than two years, the area experienced regular tidal flooding. Houses, croplands and fisheries were severely damaged,” he said.
He added that many coastal residents have yet to rebuild their lives due to unemployment, poor communication systems and the constant fear of future disasters.
Locals are now demanding permanent and sustainable embankments instead of temporary ring dams, warning that many repaired embankments remain vulnerable to erosion and could collapse again under strong tidal pressure.
According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board, several embankments in the coastal areas of Shyamnagar, Assasuni and Satkhira are still considered at risk. However, embankment development work is currently underway in Gabura Union under a government mega project.
Gabura Union Parishad Chairman MasudulAlam said residents have gradually begun recovering from the long-term suffering caused by Amphan.
“With special government monitoring and coordinated efforts by the Water Development Board, construction of sustainable and modern embankments is progressing rapidly in erosion-prone areas,” he said.
He expressed hope that the ongoing mega project would significantly reduce long-term suffering and ensure lasting protection for coastal communities.
Pratapnagar UP Chairman Abu DaudDhali said his union was among the worst-hit areas during Amphan but is now trying to recover through government and private rehabilitation efforts.
“We believe that once the sustainable embankment work is completed and the rehabilitation process succeeds, the long-term suffering of the people will finally come to an end,” he said.
