Kurigram Correspondent :
In Ulipur, Kurigram, continuous heavy rainfall and flash floods caused by water surges from upstream India have led to a sharp rise in the Teesta River’s water level.
As a result, hundreds of bighas of cropland in the char areas and surrounding regions have been submerged. The farmers’ dream crops, worth thousands of taka, have been ruined.
Meanwhile, as the floodwater recedes, severe riverbank erosion has emerged in the char areas, leaving people living along the Teesta River in distress.
Various canals, ponds, and low-lying areas have also become waterlogged, damaging crops such as Aman paddy, groundnut, chillies, aubergine, and other vegetables.
Sudden flooding has left around a hundred families stranded in different char regions along the Teesta.
Although the floodwaters have started to recede, the suffering of local residents continues. They believe that if the Teesta Master Plan were implemented, char residents would not face such repeated losses.
According to the Upazila Agriculture Extension Office, continuous rainfall and upstream floodwaters have so far submerged 50 hectares of cropland, 15 hectares of mashkalai (black gram), 5 hectares of groundnut, and 2 hectares of vegetables.
Although the floodwaters and rain are now receding, there remains a high possibility that transplanted Aman and other crops will be severely damaged, causing significant losses for farmers.
During a field visit on Wednesday to the Teesta-surrounded unions of Thetrai, Gunaigachh, Daldalia, and Bajra including Gorai Piar Char, Juan Satarar Char, Hokdanga Char, Amniasar Char, Karpur Char, Gabor Char, Arjun Char, Chaprar Char, Damar Hat, Tipmar Char, Bajrar Char, and Satalshkar it was found that thousands of hectares of farmland had gone underwater.
Consequently, crops like Aman paddy, groundnut, and various vegetables have been destroyed, causing losses worth thousands of taka to local farmers.
On the other hand, as the water recedes, strong currents in the Teesta have triggered severe erosion, leaving riverside residents helpless.
Many farmers are harvesting their flood-damaged Aman paddy early, and thousands of hectares of land in the char areas have already been swallowed by the river.
Many families have lost their homes and are now living under open skies in dire conditions.Nur Islam, a farmer from Gorai Piar Char, said, “This year I spent around 50,000 taka cultivating onion, potato, radish, and red amaranth on one and a half acres of land. Just two days of flooding have destroyed everything.
I had taken loans for this cultivation now I have no idea how I’ll repay them. The erosion has also swallowed one acre and thirty decimals of my Aman paddy land. I see no way out other than death.”
Abdul Karim from Lal Mosque area in South Daldalia said, “I spent 70,000 taka cultivating groundnuts on one acre of land and Aman paddy on another 40 decimals at Arjun Char.
When I arrived on Monday morning, I saw the water had reached the top of the plants.
The flood has washed away my dreams. I have no idea how I’ll support my struggling family now.”
Upazila Agriculture Officer and agriculturist Moshiaraf Hossain said that many farmers in the char regions have suffered heavy losses due to the flooding.
However, the silt deposited by the floodwater could improve soil fertility for future cultivation.
A list is being prepared of farmers whose crops were destroyed by silt deposition. They will receive government assistance once it becomes available.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nayan Kumar Saha said that a list of flood-affected residents is being prepared and that the government will provide support to those who have suffered losses.
