Khalil Uddin Farid, Bhola

Heavy rainfall and tidal water, coupled with the indiscriminate filling of canals, construction of houses and farms on agricultural land, road construction and blockage of natural drainage channels, have caused severe waterlogging in several beels (low-lying wetlands) across Bhola. As a result, farmers are uncertain about Aman paddy cultivation this season.

According to an application submitted by local farmers, Aman cultivation on around 13,000 hectares of land belonging to nearly 50,000 farmers across 13 unions of Bhola Sadar upazila is now under threat.

The situation is particularly severe in Char Pangashia Beel of West Elisha Union. At this time of year, farmers are normally busy transplanting Aman seedlings.

During a field visit to Char Pangashia Beel last Wednesday, it was found that not only agricultural land but also the courtyards and roads of many nearby houses, betel-nut gardens, ponds and betel-leaf gardens were submerged. Locals alleged that although there are canals on both sides of the beel, tidal and rainwater enters the area but cannot drain out.

Farmer Md. Monchur Alam of Char Pangashia Beel said, “The beel has been suffering from waterlogging for several years. But the situation is the worst this year. Once, three crops were produced here every year. Now, even Aman cultivation has become uncertain.

Local farmers said that water could be drained if 9 to 10 underground pipes, each around 1,000 feet long, were installed through the middle of Char Pangashia Beel and connected to the canals on its eastern and western sides.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, under normal conditions, Char Pangashia Beel can produce around 11,300 metric tonnes of paddy annually from Aus, Aman and Boro cultivation.

Apart from Char Pangashia, abnormal amounts of water have also accumulated in South Charpata Beel, Sudurchar Beel, Char Potka, Charnapta, South Charnowabad, Chargazi of Velumia, Sharifkha Bazar, Miar Char of Veduria and Charkali Beel. However, the situation is most critical in Char Pangashia.

In an application submitted to the administration and agriculture officials, local farmers said Aman cultivation on 13,000 hectares of land belonging to nearly 50,000 farmers in 13 unions—including Veduria, Dhania, Elisha, Bapta, Velumia, Alinagar, North and South Dighaldi and Charsamaiya—is at risk. They fear that, besides financial losses, many farmers could become burdened with debt.

Md. Shahabuddin Farazi, President of the Bangladesh Farmers Unity Foundation, said, “No matter how much government assistance is provided, the targets for Aus and Aman cultivation cannot be achieved.

Md. Harun-or-Rashid, Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer of Velumia Union, said a permanent solution to waterlogging would require canal excavation, adequate box culverts, sluice gates and underground pipelines.

According to local agriculture officials, UNO and BADC officials have inspected Char Potka Beel in Bapta Union several times to address its waterlogging problem. However, effective measures could not be implemented because of local disputes and objections from house owners.

Khairul Islam Mallik, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bhola, said excessive water has not yet severely disrupted Aman cultivation, but it has delayed planting. This could reduce yields.