Seven villages marooned by waterlogging in Pirganj

Thousands of people in at least seven villages in Panchgachhi Union of Pirganj upazila in Rangpur have been marooned by waterlogging in the Bhelamari Bangnibil wetland, leaving them to endure severe hardship.

Continuous rainfall and prolonged waterlogging have brought normal life in the area to a virtual standstill.

The worst-affected villages are Pachkauni, Jahangirabad, Amodpur Kazipara, Paikan, Naiyapara, Kulubon and Mozaffarpur.

According to local residents, rising water levels have submerged village roads, homestead yards, vast areas of cropland and the playgrounds of educational institutions. Many families are unable to leave their homes.

The waterlogging has also created an acute shortage of safe drinking water, while cooking, collecting daily necessities and transporting sick patients to hospitals have become extremely difficult.

Farmers fear heavy crop losses as their fields remain submerged.

Residents said the Bhelamari Bangnibil area experiences similar waterlogging every monsoon, but no effective long-term measures have been taken to address the problem.

A few days ago, officials from the upazila administration visited the affected area and assured residents that steps would be taken to drain the stagnant water quickly.

However, no visible action has yet been taken.

The affected residents also alleged that local public representatives have failed to take any meaningful initiative to resolve the crisis.

The marooned residents have demanded the immediate distribution of relief assistance, alongside the adoption of a permanent plan to eliminate the recurring waterlogging.

They called for improvements to the area’s drainage system, the re-excavation of silted-up canals and ditches, and the repair of damaged culverts to provide a lasting solution.

“Every year we suffer the same ordeal. Although the administration gives assurances, we have yet to see any effective action.

There has also been little initiative from our elected representatives.

If urgent measures are not taken, the situation will become even more severe,” the residents said.