Large numbers of farmers of Sunamganj, Netrokona and Kishoreganj are thrown into a great deal of tragedy due to the submerge of about 700 hectares of Boro paddy fields during the last few days. According to media reports, Nazarkhali levee broke due to a sudden rise in water level that devastated the hopes and aspirations of large numbers of haor farmers of the three districts. The heavy rainfall of as much as 548 mml was recorded in nearby India’s Meghalaya in the last few days, causing the water level in Sunamganj Rivers to soar two metres in two days.
Sources at Bangladesh Water Development Board in Sunamganj said, the sudden rise in water level triggered the early flash flood inundated in the haor and they fear of losing of harvest if the water level continues to rise this way. On the other hand, a local farmer expressed with deep frustration sayingh that Nazarkhali levee was not properly reconstructed. To him, the former chairman of Bangshikunda Dakshin union parishad in Madhyanagar upazila did not proceed with appropriate action to address the situation at the right time. The executive engineer of BWDB in Sunamganj, however, viewed that Nazarkhali levee was not in the scheme but on request of the farmers, a few closures were reconstructed.
Observers, however, mentioned that the water level has risen to six feet in the last four days and the situation was unchanged as of yesterday, According to them, if the water level in Dhanu River further crosses its danger point for the onrush of hilly waters, it will bring a disastrous effect for thousands of haor farmers in different areas of the Kishoreganj district. The boro fields in several areas of Itna upazila are also affected due to the onrush of hilly waters in the last couple of days. According to competent sources, about 3.8 crore tonnes of rice were produced in fiscal 2020-21 with the dry season Boro variety making up 53 per cent of the total yield. This season, the boro rice crop was planted on about 49.1 lakh hectares, up from 47.9 lakh hectares in the previous season.
The hopes and aspirations of the farmers of the huge hoar areas are being shattered due to the delayed decision followed by mismanagement of public servants and concerned public representatives. This can’t be acceptable.
