In a dramatic turn of events on Friday, 20 March, three cement-laden barges capsized in the Padma River in the Naria upazila of Shariatpur due to an unexpected storm. The incident occurred around 12:45 pm near the Mulfatganj launch ghats and Banshtola areas. Fortunately, all barge operators and labourers managed to swim to safety, and no casualties were reported.
According to the local river police and barge operators, the three vessels were transporting cement from Dhaka en route to Jhalkathi, Indurkani, and Gouranadi. Midway through their journey, the barges entered a stretch of the Padma River in Naria where a sudden squall produced high winds and towering waves. Alarmed by the rough conditions, the operators attempted to steer the vessels to the riverbank. Despite their efforts, the force of the storm proved overwhelming, and all three barges sank in succession.
The barge operators—Hridoy, Shamim, and Rakib—shared their account: “We were carrying approximately 6,600 sacks of cement from Dhaka. When the river suddenly became turbulent, we tried to reach the bank, but the large waves capsized our barges. Thankfully, we managed to swim to safety.”
Shureshwar River Police Station Sub-Inspector Selim Zaman confirmed the incident, stating, “Three barges have sunk due to the storm. Fortunately, all crew members reached the shore safely. We are coordinating with the barge owners, and once the weather stabilises, recovery operations will commence. Our team remains at the scene.”
The preliminary details of the sunken barges are as follows:
| Serial | Barge Name | Cargo | Destination | Location of Sinking | Crew Members |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barge 1 | 2,200 sacks of cement | Jhalkathi | Mulfatganj Launch Ghat | 3 |
| 2 | Barge 2 | 2,200 sacks of cement | Indurkani | Banshtola | 3 |
| 3 | Barge 3 | 2,200 sacks of cement | Gouranadi | Banshtola | 3 |
Each barge carried nearly equal quantities of cement, and all personnel survived unharmed. Local authorities and barge owners are planning coordinated recovery operations, which will begin once river conditions stabilise.
Residents present at the scene noted that sudden storms in this part of the Padma River, while infrequent, pose significant risks for river traffic. Authorities have been advised to maintain heightened vigilance to ensure safe navigation and prevent similar incidents in the future.