At least 79 of the government-listed 1,156 rivers flowing through the country have dried up or are in the process of drying up in recent times, threatening livelihoods, agriculture, and local biodiversity, a recent study has revealed.

All of these rivers are heavily silted and either completely or partially dry up during the lean period, mainly due to water diversion upstream. Meanwhile, large portions of some rivers have disappeared in recent years due to encroachment, according to the study published yesterday.

The Rivers and Delta Research Centre (RDRC) conducted the study based on government data, various academic papers, and newspaper reports published from January 2023 to December 2024.

The study, titled "Dried Up Rivers of Bangladesh", was based on data from a new list of rivers prepared by the government, which used information from all deputy commissioners in the country, said Khalid Saifullah, one of the researchers from RDRC.

The study's lead researcher, Mohammad Azaz, said, "We found at least 79 rivers are either drying up or have already dried up."

Of these, 25 are in Khulna division, 19 in Rajshahi, 14 in Rangpur, six in Chattogram, five in Mymensingh, four in Dhaka, and three each in Barishal and Sylhet divisions. Most are located in Khulna, Satkhira, Rajshahi, and Kushtia regions, where sedimentation and rapid urbanisation have severely disrupted the natural flow of water.

The rivers classified as dead or heavily dried up include the well-known Atrai, Baral, Bhairab, Bhola, Chitra, Dhaleshwari, Dharla, Dudhkumar, Gomati, Gorai, Ichamoti, Kaliganga, Karatoya, Kholpetua, Kopotakkho, Kushiyara, Mahananda, Mathabhanga, Muhuri, Nabaganga, Teesta, Surma, and Titash.

The study further states that as dams and water diversions upstream have altered the natural flow of rivers, millions of Bangladeshis are finding it increasingly difficult to fish, farm, and transport goods. Furthermore, as the availability of water in these rivers have become unpredictable, livelihoods are at risk, while entire communities dependent on them are struggling to survive.

Apart from people, wildlife in these regions is also being affected due to habitat destruction, which is disrupting the balance of nature, the study noted.

With regard to saving the dying rivers or reviving the dead ones, the report states, "We need to take better care by reducing pollution, preventing erosion, and restoring ecosystems. But Bangladesh cannot solve this problem alone. Since these rivers flow through multiple countries, cooperation with upstream neighbours is essential."

Azaz, who is also chairman of RDRC and administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation, said, "The government must pay immediate attention to these rivers and promote water transportation. If we do not use water transportation in all navigable rivers, we will not be able to save them." Using river transportation will require regular dredging, which will in turn help maintain navigability.

According to the study, waterways are the most economical means of transportation, as rivers and canals make up 24,000km of the country.

Using roadways costs Tk 2.81–3.51 per tonne per km, railways Tk 1.96 per tonne per km, while waterways cost only Tk 1.12 per tonne per km.

During the monsoon, approximately 6,000km of these waterways are navigable, while this reduces to around 3,800km in the dry season.

The Bangladesh Inland Waterway Transport Authorities should launch more riverine routes and encourage people to use them, the study suggested.

The previous government had introduced a master plan to excavate 53 inland waterways. The first phase aimed to restore 10,000km of 24 waterways by 2025. However, even after excavation, many waterways remained abandoned due to a lack of proper dredging and silt removal.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said a river may dry up for several reasons.

"Some rivers dry up due to natural causes, some due to human activities. Before taking any action, we need to determine the cause behind each river's drying up."

At present, the interim government is focusing on reviving selected rivers—four in the capital and one in each division, she added.

Earlier, on 13 February 2012, former water resources minister Ramesh Chandra Sen told Parliament that about one-third of the country's rivers were almost dead. In response to lawmakers' queries in Parliament, he said 97 rivers were drying up. He also stated that 212 rivers remained navigable.

The 79 Rivers

Alay, Atrai, Bagboti, Bangali, Baral, Betna, Bhairab, Bhodrabati, Bhola, Bhulli, Bilash, Burikhora River, Chandana, Chandrabati, Chiknai, Chitra, Chuna, Dhalai, Dhaleshwari, Dharla, Dhepa, Dudhkumar, Fotki, Galghesiya, Gangnai, Ghaghat, Gomati, Goneshwari, Gorai, Gumani, Hanu, Harihar, Hishna, Hoja, Hura Sagor, Ichamoti, Kahua, Kakshiali, Kaliganga, Kalpani, Karatoya, Katakhali, Khakdon, Kholpetua, Kohelia, Kopotakkho, Kulik, Kumar, Kushiyara, Mahananda, Manash, Mathavanga, Mohishaban, Morrichap, Moyur, Muhuri, Muradiya, Nabaganga, Nagar, Narod, Noroshunda, Pagla, Punarbhaba, Sandha, Selonia, Shagorkhale, Shalikha, Shib, Sholmari, Shuk, Someshwari, Sonai, Sukhdah, Surma, Tangon, Teesta, Titash, Tulsi Ganga, Lenga.