Haor crops on over 12,000 hectares destroyed

Crops of more than 12,000 hectares of lands of Haor area of Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Sunamganj and Sylhet districts have gone under water damaging the crops protection dams due to the onrush of upstream waters.
The water level in the Netrokona's main river Dhanu continued to rise due to the downpour in the upper reaches as heavy rains continued in Cherrapunji of India. The water of Dhanu River was flowing only 2cm below the danger level on Monday.
According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), water levels of the main rivers of Netrokona, Sunamganj and Sylhet districts may rise more in next 48 hours due to upstream onrush. Water levels of most of the rivers may exceed the danger level during the period.
An official of the
Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said that as the shower continued in the Cherrapunji, the water level of the Haor area rivers may increase more in next 48 hours.
As fear griped the Haor area people, most farmers were passing busy times to harvest their crops before drowning under water.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday expressed her concern over the damages of crops of more than 5,000 hectares of Haor lands and instructed the authorities to develop advance variety of paddy seeds, so that farmers can harvest those before the flood hits.
Our correspondent from Kishoreganj reports that the waters of Dhanu, Baulai, Meghna Kalni and Kushiyara rivers continue to rise on the hill slopes flowing from upstream. The waters of the Dhanu River have already crossed the danger line.
The farmers fear of flooding 10,000 hectares of paddy land in Itna upazila. Water level of Kalni and Kushiyara rivers increased by 11cm. Water level of Baulai River has increased by 12cm and is flowing at 22cm above the danger level and waters of the Meghna River reached at danger levels.
The Department of Agriculture Extension has already started harvesting raw and half ripe paddy which submerged in water.
The farmers fear that if they fail to harvest the only crop of the Haor, they will have to suffer a lot throughout the year.
This year 25,730 hectares in Haor-enclosed Itna Upazila, 17,200 hectares in Mithamin Upazila, 25,595 hectares in Ashtagram, 14,295 hectares in Nikli Upazila, 12,595 hectares in Tarail Upazila, 10,030 hectares in Karimganj Upazila and 6,000 hectares in Bajitpur. Boro is planted. Farmers in the haor area are worried about the onrush of water.
District Water Development Board Executive Matiur Rahman said the water of Dhanu river was flowing over the danger line. Water entering the Haor at any time can cause extensive crop damage.
District Agricultural Extension Department Deputy Director Saiful Alam said although paddy harvesting has already started, farmers are not able to harvest their paddy due to labour crisis. The DAE has provided 222 combined harvesters and 22 reaper machines in Haor, so that farmers can harvest their crops quickly.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shamim Alam said 35 percent Boro paddy had been harvested in the Haor till noon on Monday. We are monitoring on Haor all the time.
Our correspondent from Netrokona reports water of Dhanu River was flowing 23cm above the danger level in the area. As a result, most crops protection dams of the area are found vulnerable. Fearing to breach the dams, they have started harvesting their crops. More than 50pc crops were already harvested.
In last week, crops of more than 500 hectares of land of Khaliajuri, Madan and Mohonganj upazila went under water breaching the protection dams.
Our correspondent from Dirai (Sunamganj) reports that till to date, crops of more than 1,500 hectares of lands went under water on Sunday due to upstream onrush. With the inclusion, crops of at least 5,000 hectares have already drowned in last one week.
The farmers were seen busy in harvesting their half ripen crops before destroying. The officials of the administration have been suggesting and requesting the farmers to harvest their crops soon, so that they can bring their crops home before drowning in the water completely.