The Someshwari River flowing past Madhyanagar upazila in Sunamganj is rapidly losing navigability, turning into sandbars and threatening the survival of the 150-year-old Madhyanagar market. Once a major rice trading hub, the market now faces stagnation as boat transport has become nearly impossible during dry months. Traders report that goods must be unloaded and reloaded multiple times, increasing both time and costs, while irrigation now depends on deep tube wells due to reduced water flow.

Local traders and boatmen said that from mid-Poush to Chaitra, parts of the river dry up completely, halting large boat movement for three to four months. Business leaders warned that without dredging, the market’s economic importance will vanish. Farmers and traders are already suffering from higher transport costs and reduced trade volume. The Sunamganj district farmers’ association and local business groups have long demanded river dredging to restore navigability.

According to the Water Development Board’s Sunamganj office, a plan to dredge 19 rivers, including the Someshwari, is under consideration. The project awaits approval before dredging can begin.