Lebukhali ferry terminal, an embankment and a nearby village, adjacent to Patuakhali-Barisal highway, in Dumki upazila are now under the threat of erosion by the river Paira. The terminal and the embankment are on the verge of disappearance due to continuous erosion of the river in an area that was battered by cyclone Komen last year. Bangladesh Water Development Board (WDB) authorities face difficulties every rainy season while protecting Lebukhali ferry terminal  from Paira River erosion.
Now, only 38 metres out of 800 meters of embankment is left standing against the onslaught of the erosion at Lebukhali. About 400 meters of flood protection embankment was washed away by the Paira River last year and 362 meters eroded due to the impact of cyclone Komen this year. Although BWDB has undertaken repair works at the cost of about Tk 4.17 crores the people are yet to get any benefit. The Roads and Highways Department has changed the location of the terminal several times in the past. However, this has seriously affected the ferry services on Patuakhali-Barisal route. There is also an apprehension that the road communication from Barisal to Patuakhali-Barguna might one day get snapped by the erosion.
Md Shafikul Islam, executive engineer of BWDB in Patuakhali, said the erosion has turned serious at Lebukhali ferry terminal. “As the current protection work of the ferry ghat (terminal) is not sustainable, we have requested JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) to help ensure a sustainable protection for Lebukhali ferry ghat. The JICA team has already visited the spot and is likely to submit a report,” he said.