Every year, the same scene repeats itself in the haor regions of Sunamganj, particularly in Tahirpur, Madhyanagar, Dharmapasha, and Jamalganj upazilas. Sudden flash floods caused by heavy rainfall in India's Meghalaya state disrupt the normal lives of people in this region. The floodwaters damage roads, homes, educational institutions, and farmland, bringing communication systems and local economic activity to a standstill. Unfortunately, this suffering has now become a constant reality for the people of the haor region.
Riverbank erosion also poses an existential threat to the people of this region. Every year, countless families live in fear of losing their ancestral homes and land.
The long-standing demand of the haor people is for a practical and sustainable development plan. Canal excavation alone cannot be viewed as the only solution. Instead, what is needed first is to increase the navigability of rivers, carry out regular dredging, and build effective protective embankments along both riverbanks. This would increase the rivers' water-holding capacity, reduce the risk of erosion, and create a smoother path for excess water drainage. In this way, the severity of flooding could also be reduced.
The expectations of the haor people are not limited to temporary relief or short-term initiatives; they want a long-term, permanent, and sustainable solution.
Md. Ahsanul Haque Milon
Student
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Sylhet