Memories of the devastating cyclone of April 29, 1991 still haunt Bangladesh’s coastal communities as millions remain vulnerable due to fragile and incomplete embankments, more than three decades after the disaster killed about 138,000 people and left nearly 10 million destitute.

Despite the passage of 35 years, many coastal areas of Chattogram lack durable flood protection infrastructure. Residents say fear grips them whenever warnings of cyclones or storm surges are issued, forcing many to spend sleepless nights.

In Banshkhali upazila, construction of 6.210 kilometres of embankment is underway in Baharchhara, Chhanua, Sadhanpur and Khankhanabad unions at a cost of 4.9829 billion taka. Renovation work on a 1,300 metre stretch of old embankment at the Sangu estuary is also in progress.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board says about 24 percent of the project has been completed. While block casting has stalled due to a shortage of stones, geo bag dumping continues.

In Anwara, where around 25,000 people died in the 1991 cyclone, a 5.77 billion taka project was implemented later. However about one kilometre of embankment remains at high risk, particularly in Baighar Ghat and Juindandi areas. A new project worth around 3.5 billion taka is currently ongoing. Once the 31 kilometre embankment upgrade is completed, more than 200,000 people are expected to benefit.

Sandwip island also suffered heavily in 1991 with more than 30,000 deaths. Embankments built with foreign assistance are now in a vulnerable condition. Locals say a planned 25 kilometre block embankment remains unfinished and in several areas concrete blocks have shifted causing collapses. Kalapania, Amanullah, Dirghapara and Urirchar are among the most exposed zones.

In Sitakunda upazila, about four kilometres of embankment have disappeared in Kumira and Sonaichhari unions. Around three kilometres have eroded in Ghoramara area of Sonaichhari while nearly one kilometre is missing in Alekdia of Kumira. Authorities say these sections fall on privately owned land which complicates repair efforts.

Mirsarai’s 11.5 kilometre embankment, built in 1994, has also deteriorated due to years of neglect. Fish farms developed around this structure supply nearly 70 percent of Chattogram’s fish demand. Farm owners now fear losses as the weakened embankment increases the risk of flooding.

The human toll of the 1991 cyclone remains stark. Banshkhali alone recorded around 40,000 deaths. In Sitakunda about 7,000 people were killed and another 3,000 went missing.

Today, even the possibility of a strong cyclone spreads panic across coastal communities. Experts warn that without urgent construction of durable embankments and proper maintenance of existing ones, the region remains at risk of another major humanitarian disaster.