Waterlogging leaves Boro paddy in ruins

SYLHET, Apr 01: Water-logging in Boro paddy fields in the haor (wetland) areas of Sunamganj district has intensified due to consecutive days of rainfall and rolling of water from the upstream, exacerbating the farmers' tension.

Despite taking various initiatives to resolve the problem, crop fields have got damaged extensively in stagnant water. The situation ensued flowing incessant rainfall in the neighbouring Indian state of Meghalaya for days.

Already Boro paddy on 150 hectares of land in the district has rotten while the loss has been estimated at Tk26.2 million (Tk2.62 crore), said the additional director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Sylhet division, Mosharraf Hossain. Around 1,200 more hectares of land have been inundated in the last two days. More than half of the Tanguar Haor has been submerged in water. If the rain situation worsens, water stagnation will intensify further, it is predicted.

Farmers are facing trouble while making protection arrangements in many areas. They are trying hard to drain out the water on their own.

Waterlogging has occurred in various haor areas including Chandrasonar Thal, Sonamarol, Dhan Kunia, Joydhana, Ruibil, Kaili and Rama. Farmers and locals have called for long-term adoption of canal and river excavation programmes and setting up sluice gates to deal with such an emergency situation.

Sararkona's farmer Ajit Chandra Sarkar said, "About 25 acres of my land have been submerged. Water is flowing through the causeway between Faruknagar and Balrampur. We will have to make arrangements to drain out the water within a couple of days."

Dharmapasha Sukhairjapur Uttar chairman Suhel Mia said, "A quarter of the haor has started getting spoiled in the water. If water flow continues to rise, waterlogging in the haor will also increase. The danger from the Indian hills may increase further."

Mukarram Hossain of Sukhair Rajapur South UP said, "It is possible to deal with such a situation to a large extent by digging canals and rivers and installing sluice gates.This goal must be implemented."

Madhyanagar Sadar UP (Acting) A Sattar said due to waterlogging in the Bowala Haor, many fields have been submerged. There is no water drainage system here. On the other hand, dreams of all the farmers in Tanguar Haor area have faded away.

Crop fields in the low-lying areas have been submerged due to waterlogging.

People of Madhyanagar in Nazarkhali of Tanguar Haor, Banshikunda and Banshikunda Uttar unions and farmers in Tahirpur South Sreepur and North Sreepur Unions have also cultivated land. All are passing sleepless nights as harvest is yet to start there.

In some areas harvest would start after a week while it would be later in the rest areas.

forsylhet@gmail.com