Flooding in haor areas to affect food supply

Citizens from a gathering yesterday warned that the flooding of haor areas would effect the rice production, which might affect food supply in the country.
They mentioned that one-fifth of the total rice production of the country is cultivated in the haor areas. Most boro rice production also comes from the areas and majority of its population is depended on agriculture. The recent flooding that started around 40 days ago has serious implications, they added.
They urged the government to take urgent steps to repair the embankments in the areas. Putting the blame on Water Development Board and politically affiliated contractors, they said massive corruption is the reason behind the dilapidated condition of the embankments.
They also called for long-term rehabilitation projects for haor (marshland) areas, declaring the areas disaster-affected, says a press release.
Nagorik Sanghati organised the gathering in front of the National Museum in the city.
Speakers at the gathering said about Tk 12.80 crore was allocated to the WDB to repair 131km long embankment in Sunamganj, which was not properly done by the contractor leaving it in a poor state.
Crops on around 70,000 hectors of land in Sunamganj and 23,000 hectors in Netrakona went under water by the floodwaters.
Among others, Nagorik Sanghati President Prof ASM Atikur Rahman, its General Secretary Sharifuzzaman Sharif, columnist Syed Abul Maksud, former director general of Haor and Wetland Development Board Inamul Haque, Secretary General of Paribesh Bachao Andolan Kamal Pasha Chowdhury and Dr Niaz Pasha addressed the gathering.