Thousands suffer as monsoon turns Patuakhali road into muddy nightmare

A nearly three-kilometre earthen road from Dhali Bazar to Naluabagi Secondary School in Galachipa upazila of Patuakhali has remained in poor condition for years, causing severe hardship for thousands of residents, including schoolchildren, farmers, patients and traders.

The road in newly formed Naluabagi union becomes almost impassable after even light rain as it turns into a muddy stretch. During the monsoon, vehicles can hardly use the road, while pedestrians struggle to walk through knee-deep mud.

Residents said the road has repeatedly become unusable during the rainy season, but no effective initiative has been taken to pave it. Despite repeated demands to local representatives and the authorities concerned, a permanent solution is yet to come.

A recent incident highlighted the severity of the problem. Locals said relatives of an elderly sick man, Mahtab Farazi, faced extreme difficulty while taking him to hospital because of the muddy road. He reportedly had to be carried on a bike, normally used to transport corpses, as no regular vehicle could easily pass through the road.

Farmers said they have to spend extra money to transport paddy, jute and other agricultural produce to markets during the rainy season. Vehicles often get stuck or overturn on the muddy road, causing financial losses.

The road is not only important for Naluabagi but also serves as a vital communication link for residents of several surrounding villages. It is used by students and teachers travelling to educational institutions and by farmers transporting their produce.

Siddiqur Rahman, headteacher of Naluabagi Board Government Primary School, said the school has around 200 students and attendance drops during the rainy season.

“When the monsoon begins, it becomes extremely difficult for young children to come to school. Many students remain absent because they cannot walk through the mud,” he said, adding that the situation disrupts classes and negatively affects students’ education.

Md Matiur Rahman, headteacher of Naluabagi Secondary School, said teachers and students have to walk through knee-deep mud to reach the school.

“Books, notebooks, schoolbags and uniforms often get dirty or damaged in the mud. Coming to school this way every day is extremely difficult for them,” he said.

Siddiqur Rahman, headteacher of West Naluabagi Government Primary School, echoed the same concern.

Local youth Abu Sayeed Howlader Rabbi said residents have been suffering from the same problem for years.

“Our suffering seems to have no end. As soon as the monsoon arrives, the road becomes practically unusable. Transporting sick patients, schoolchildren and agricultural produce becomes a major ordeal,” he said.

Abu Sayeed, panel chairman of the local Union Parishad, said several requests had been made to the upazila Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) engineer to pave the road.

“They only give assurances, but the road has not been paved,” he said.

Galachipa upazila LGED Engineer Mahbubur Rahman said a proposal has already been sent to the higher authorities to pave the road. “If approval is received, work will begin,” he said.