The existence of the Kobadak and Shibsa rivers in Paikgachha upazila of Khulna is in perilous state as they are drying up fast.

The banks of the Shibsa have shrunk into a canal along a five km area from Shibbati Bridge up to Haria Chaumuhuni.

Sources at Water Development Board (WDB) linked this rapid drying of the rivers to fall in their water flow upstream and construction of two bridges over the rivers.

Sadar upazila is encircled by the Kobadak and Shibsa on its three sides. The Kobadak runs along the south-western side while the Shibsa flows on the south-eastern side.

Both the rivers, once known as lifeline of the upazila, have widely contributed to the development of trade and commerce of the region.

But in the last one year, both rivers have dried up almost completely. It is even possible to cross both the rivers on foot even during tide.

Locals fear if waters of the two rivers cannot flow, entire Paikgachha would have to face severe water logging. Silt accumulation has filled the rivers to such an extent that this excessive siltation would bock the drainage system during monsoon, creating a crisis.

"It is natural for silt to get deposited, but use of excessive pillars for bridge is the main cause of silt deposition," said Pijush Krishna Kundu, executive engineer, WDB, Khulna.

Pijush also said lack of water flow of the two rivers impedes moving away of the silt.