Morphological Dynamics of Padma River: A Study on the Char-Janajat in Madaripur

The Padma River, one of the principal distributaries of the Ganges in Bangladesh, exhibits highly dynamic morphological behavior, leading to recurrent erosion and accretion along its banks. This study investigates the spatiotemporal changes in riverbank morphology and the resultant socio-environmental impacts in Char-Janajat, Madaripur, over a ten-year period (2012–2022). Using Landsat satellite imagery and the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) through GIS and Remote Sensing techniques, significant bank-line shifts, erosion, and accretion patterns were quantified. Results reveal a net land gain of 5463 hectares, with peak erosion observed between 2016 and 2018 and maximum accretion between 2018 and 2020. The findings underscore the need for proactive monitoring and management strategies, particularly as 95% of surveyed residents attribute erosion to overflow and upstream water release. This study contributes to a better understanding of fluvial dynamics and calls for localized policy interventions to safeguard vulnerable communities in riverine regions.