BAGHA, RAJSHAHI, Sept 26: Water-logging has occurred in Bagha Upazila of Rajshahi district, due to the absence of a water drainage system.
Because of the water-logging, hundreds of houses and cultivable lands cannot be used for farming. Although locals have submitted written complaints to various authorities, no action has been taken. Farmers are living in miserable conditions as they are unable to grow any crops on these lands.
It has been learned that water has accumulated in the courtyards of hundreds of houses and on cultivable lands in areas such as Barkhadia, Naotika, Arifpur, Amodpur, Khude Saoyghati, Jotraraghab, Chandipur, Attika, Amarpur, Pakuria, Manigram, Bausa Union's Tenthulia, Gargari, Arani Union's Jhinna, Bederbari, and Haripur in Bagha Upazila.
Due to the lack of a drainage system, farmers cannot cultivate crops. Lands that previously produced three types of crops per year are now lying fallow. Consequently, hundreds of farmers are living in deplorable conditions.
Rogan Kumar from Bausa Village, Rabiul Islam from Barkhadia Village, and Chanchal Mahmud from Jotraraghab Village said that given the extent of water accumulation in various areas of the upazila, drains should be connected to the river immediately to facilitate water drainage. Otherwise, the remaining cultivable land will remain water-logged throughout the year.
Bagha Upazila Agriculture Officer Shafiullah Sultan said the issue of resolving water-logging has been discussed in coordination meetings.
Abdul Hannan, a retired teacher from Masterpara Moholla in Arani, said that due to excessive rainfall, water has been accumulated in the courtyards of over a hundred houses in the Masterpara area for about two months. Although the authorities were informed, they have not taken any action, causing severe difficulties for residents.
Bagha Upazila Executive Officer Shammi Akhtar said water-logging has been resolved in some areas. The Barind Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture have been informed.
