About 350 acres of agricultural land are under water due to waterlogging due to the closure of all water drainage channels. Hundreds of farmers in the area are facing extreme difficulties during the current Aman season. If water drainage is not done quickly, a large amount of land will remain uncultivated. Farmers are fearing major financial losses.

It was learned from talking to local farmers that for the past seven or eight years, waterlogging has occurred in the Malechar Beel in Ward No. 6 of Bapta Union of Bhola Sadar Upazila during the monsoon and Aman seasons. Cultivation in these lands is possible only when the water recedes or dries up. However, due to heavy rains this season, the waterlogging situation has become more serious than before. Currently, water is accumulated up to five feet in various places in the beel.

Local young agricultural entrepreneur Al Amin said that the seedbeds that farmers had created for cultivating Aman rice have also been submerged under water. Many seeds and rice seedlings have rotted and are ruined due to being submerged in water for a long time. Farmers fear that if the water is not drained in time, it will not be possible to cultivate Aman.

Farmers claim that even seven-eight years ago, various Rabi crops including moong, chili, sesame, tishi, potato, mustard were cultivated in the land of this beel. But due to prolonged waterlogging, it has become difficult to cultivate crops other than eri paddy.

Locals are citing the blockage of water drainage as one of the reasons for the waterlogging. They allege that water is not being able to drain normally due to the construction of houses and fish enclosures encroaching on the water flow path in different places. Although several culverts were seen in different places of the beel on the spot, they are not playing an effective role in water drainage as they are blocked. Locals also said that in some places, culverts have been demolished and filled with soil.

Locals said that agriculture is the main source of livelihood for many families here. The livelihood of three to four hundred farmers is linked to about 350 acres of agricultural land. If they cannot grow crops in the important Aman season of the year, they will face extreme financial crisis with their families.

Meanwhile, after receiving this reporter’s call, Bapta Union Parishad Acting Chairman Hasan Mizanur Rahman Nirob Member immediately rushed to inspect the scene. He walked about three to four kilometers and looked around both sides of the beel. He spoke to local farmers and landowners. Later, he said that in the past, the water of the beel used to drain from all sides. People’s houses have been built for a few years. Roads have been built. Therefore, all the ways to drain water from the beel have been blocked. He said, I have spoken to many people. Everyone is demanding that arrangements be made for draining the beel. ‘There are two people who do not want to provide a drain space for draining the water of this beel. Even then, I have called everyone. We have to sit down and discuss with all the landowners, farmers and local dignitaries and make an arrangement. If necessary, I will make an arrangement even if I spend my own money, InshaAllah.’

Meanwhile, the affected farmers and locals have demanded that the lands be made suitable for cultivation by quickly draining the water. At the same time, the affected farmers have sought urgent intervention from the concerned authorities including the District Agricultural Extension Department, local administration and public representatives to permanently resolve the waterlogging.