Water shortage hits public life as tubewells dry up in Chunarughat
Faruk Mahmud, Chunarughat (Habiganj)
Rivers, canals and beels in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj have dried up. In addition, water is not available in tubewells. In some villages, it is not possible to raise water even through pumps as the groundwater level has dropped too low. As the rivers, canals and beels have dried up, groundwater is being raised for irrigation in boro land.
The Rural Electricity Association has provided electricity connections to 3,368 irrigation projects in 9 upazilas of Habiganj district. Out of which, water is rising from underground in more than 3,000 projects.
Locals say that the powerful irrigation projects installed in the agricultural lands of the villages in various haors are drawing groundwater. Due to which water is not rising in the tubewells of the villages. Nurul Islam of Hariharpur village of Chunarughat upazila said, despite the presence of the Khowai River in our area, many irrigation projects have been set up around the village.
These draw water from underground, so water does not rise in the village's tubewells. Jasim Uddin of Kachua village in Chunarughat upazila said that water does not rise in any tubewell in the village. After a few years, there might not be any water at all.
UNO Robin Mia said, Chunarughat is already a high area, the water level goes down, that is why there is a water problem, those who are installing tubewells should install them in the layer where water is available.
