JHALOKATHI, Aug 17 (V7N) — A road beside the pontoon at Shatpakia Ferry Ghat in Nalchity upazila of Jhalokathi has been inundated by tidal water, disrupting communication and causing significant hardship for commuters.

The road, located beside the pontoon on the Sugandha River, has remained submerged during high tide for several days. Hundreds of people and various vehicles use the ferry ghat every day to cross the river and travel between Nalchity and Jhalokathi district headquarters.

Local residents said the road goes several feet underwater even during a moderate high tide, making it difficult and sometimes risky for people to reach the pontoon.

Because the Sugandha River separates Nalchity from the district headquarters, residents often rely on boats at several points for regular travel. However, Shatpakia Ferry Ghat is the main option for transporting vehicles, particularly heavy vehicles, across the river.

With the road near the ferry ghat remaining submerged, many people who regularly travel to Jhalokathi are now using boats from Sharif Osman Hadi Launch Ghat or taking a longer route through Barishal.

The disruption is also affecting the movement of important patrol vehicles of Nalchity Police Station, which regularly use the ferry to cross the river.

Ruhul Amin, administrative officer of Bhairabpasha Union Parishad, said he used to travel through the ferry ghat regularly to commute to the union parishad office. However, the road has remained underwater for several days, causing water to enter his motorcycle while approaching the pontoon.

“As a result, I now have to take a route through Barishal, which adds around 20 kilometres to my journey,” he said.

Lawyer Al Amin Hossain said he used to cross the Shatpakia Ferry Ghat every day to travel to his workplace at the Jhalokathi court, allowing him to reach his destination within a short time.

“Now, with several feet of water covering the road near the pontoon, I have to travel through Barishal. This is wasting both time and money,” he said, urging the authorities to raise the road and resolve the problem as soon as possible.

Nalchity Upazila Nirbahi Officer Pratik Kumar Kundu said the administration would try to address the problem locally.

“If it is not possible to resolve the issue locally, we will contact the relevant authorities and take steps to resolve it as quickly as possible,” he said.

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