SM Sahidul Islam, Satkhira

The area between the Betna and Morichap rivers in Satkhira has turned into a new version of the infamous Bhobodha water-logged zone. Continuous rainfall has submerged large swathes of low-lying areas and farmlands, including approximately 3,000 hectares of transplanted Aman paddy, 150 hectares of seedbeds, and 500 hectares of summer vegetables. As a result, thousands of farmers and residents are now in deep distress.

More than 20 major wetlands and several villages have gone underwater during this peak monsoon season. Among the most affected wetlands are: Dayer Beel, Ramchandrapur Beel, Shalyer Beel, Kochuar Beel, Ghudder Beel, Hachchalar Beel, Bashtolar Beel, Chelar Beel, Dhepurbil, Palichand Beel, Buramara Beel, Khariler Beel, and Hajikhali Beel. The submerged villages include Baluigacha, Gobindapur, Bardal, Ghuddirdangi, Puraton Satkhira, Baddipur, Jeyala, Damarpota, and Mashkhola.

Enamul Haque Khokon, a member of the Dhulihar Union Parishad in Satkhira Sadar upazila, said:
“People in at least 20 wetlands and 10 villages are now marooned. Rural roads are under knee-deep water, schools are on the verge of closure, and the sanitation system has collapsed. The suffering is unimaginable.”

Farmer Yunus Ali said, “I planted Aman seedlings on half of my 10 bighas of land. The rest is submerged. The seedbed is almost ruined. If the situation continues, I won’t even be able to plant the remaining land.”

Another farmer, Abdur Rashid, added, “I planted on eight out of 20 bighas, but now everything is under 3–4 feet of water. Since the canals are blocked, the water isn’t draining. I’ve lost everything.”

Vegetable farmers are no exception.
Farmer Habibur Rahman said, “I cultivated okra, yard-long beans, pointed gourd, yam, and taro on four bighas of land—worth nearly 300,000 taka. Everything is under water now. I have to start all over again. But where will the capital come from?”

The suffering is not limited to farmers. Almost two-thirds of Satkhira municipal area is facing permanent waterlogging. Roads have gone underwater, and public transport has halted.

Van-puller Fazor Ali said, “When the roads are flooded, we can’t pull our vans. If I stay home, the family starves. When the rains continue like this, life just stands still.”

Locals blame the worsening waterlogging on blocked canals and poor drainage systems. Once fertile wetlands have now turned into stagnant water bodies due to mismanagement and encroachment.

Md. Saiful Islam, Deputy Director of the Satkhira Department of Agricultural Extension, said,
“About 3,000 hectares of crops have been submerged due to continuous rain. It will take another week to assess the total financial damage. We are reviewing the situation and will take necessary steps for support.”

Meanwhile, the Satkhira Weather Office forecasts that heavy rainfall may continue for another 4 to 5 days.

Locals in the Betna and Morichap river basins fear that without urgent government intervention and relief efforts, farmers may face a severe disaster and long-term setbacks