Barguna farmers demand construction of sluice gate to prevent waterlogging

FE Team | Published: June 27, 2025 00:27:27

BARGUNA, June 26 (UNB): Farmers in five villages of Barguna's Amtali upazila formed a human chain on Thursday demanding construction of a sluice gate after removing an embankment built across the Garai canal to prevent waterlogging that has damaged thousands of hectares of cropand.
In Khakdan village, frustrated farmers waded knee-deep into waterlogged paddy fields to stage protest.
The protesters alleged that influential individuals have occupied government land along the canal, blocking the water flow, which has led to severe waterlogging in Kukua, Rayabala, Khakdan, Athargachhia, and Godanga villages - affecting nearly 25,000 residents and 2,500 hectares of cropland.
According to locals and officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), a flood protection embankment was built in 1969 at the mouth of the Garai canal near Kukua Hat in Kukua union.
Over time, water hyacinth clogged the canal, hampering water flow and irrigation for Aus paddy, Aman, and Rabi crops.
In response to farmers' demands, ex-BNP MP Matiar Rahman constructed an inlet and outlet in 2005 to restore water flow. However, after the change in government in 2009, a local influential figure, Salam Hawladar, allegedly blocked the inlet and outlet with earth and occupied around one acre of government khas land along the embankment to build houses.
As a result, the canal remains clogged, causing widespread waterlogging, especially during the monsoon. Heavy rainfall in June left vast areas of farmland submerged under 2 to 3 feet of water, leading to rotting of standing Aus paddy crops and even inundating homes.
During a visit to the area on Tuesday, thousands of hectares of paddy fields and homesteads in Kukua, Rayabala, Khakdan, Kukua Hat, Godanga, and Athargachhia villages were found under water.
Nur Khalek Mridha, a farmer from Khakdan, said, "I cultivated Aus paddy on two bighas of land, spending all my money. Now everything is rotting in stagnant water. I don't know how I'll feed my family."
Other affected farmers, including Barek Hawladar of Kukua, Babul Peda, Alauddin Kha of Godanga, Hannan Mridha of Rayabala, and Keramat Hawladar of Keowabunia, voiced similar concerns.
The protesters blamed local influential Salam Hawladar for blocking the inlet and outlet, which has led to the current crisis.
They demanded his eviction and the construction of a two-gate sluice system to ensure proper drainage.
Contacted, Salam Hawladar denied the allegations claiming he built his house on his own land and had no knowledge of blocking the canal's inlet and outlet.