‘Crops washed away overnight’
Farmer Shahidul Islam of Kukadair village of Gobindasi union of Bhuanpur upazila has cultivated different crops on his 12 bighas of land, after taking loan from local money launderers.
However, the crops got washed away in a single night after water level rose in Jamuna river.
"What will I do now? How can I repay my loan?" said a devastated Shahidul.
Crops, including peanut, kalai, maize and paddies of many farmers of the Jamuna Char areas got submerged under water recently.
Farmers Hurmuz Pramanik, Raheez Uddin and Sabur Ali said water on the river had increased six times this year, washing away their crops.
Sazzad Hossain, executive engineer of Water Development Board (WDB) in Tangail, said the water level had increased by 22cm yesterday. However, it was flowing 62cm below the danger level.
"This untimely increase of water level was caused by a rush of water from upstream and due to the impact of climate change," he added.
During a recent visit at char areas including Govindasi, Gabsara and Arjuna unions, it was seen arable lands were submerged in water, incurring losses to the farmers.
The field level agriculture officials were visiting the affected areas to assess the damages. We hope that the situation won't prevail for a long time. We'll provide incentives to the affected farmers.
Contacted, Dr Md Humayun Kabir, upazila agriculture officer in Bhuapur, told The Daily Star that the damages were limited as the farmers did not start cultivation in full swing.
The field level agriculture department officials were visiting the affected areas to assess the damages, he said. "We hope that the situation won't prevail for a long time. We'll provide incentives to the affected farmers," he added.
Comments