SIRAJGANJ, July 29: The flood in the beginning of this month (July) in the district made colossal damages worth about Tk 63 crore to over 37,000 farmers.
This information was confirmed by the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in the district.
Hilly tide from the upstream, triggered by down pour, created the flood, pushing up water level in the Jamuna River.
DAE sources said, the flood water continued for about three weeks, raising water level in all internal rivers, canals and beels; low areas and chars were flooded.
Different crops including jute, sesame, Aush paddy, Aman seedbeds, and vegetables of 6,525 hectares (ha) of land were reported damaged in the river-banking localities in Sirajganj Sadar Upazila, Kazipur, Belkuchi, Shahzadpur and Chouhali upazilas; of the huge croplands, 3,185 ha of land were completely damaged; and 37,046 farmers were victimised while the economic loss of fully damaged crops was estimated at 62,78,03,000.
A farmer of Tekani area in Kazipur Upazila Suruj Ali said, his three bighas of pointed gourd field were fully damaged; he suffered a loss of Tk 15,000. Now he is in tension over how to maintain his family.
Another Montu Mia of Kawakola Village in Sadar Upazila said, his six bigha fields of bottle gourd and ash gourd were fully damaged while his two bighas of jute were partially damaged; he suffered damages of about Tk 25,000.
DAE Deputy Director-Sirajganj Bablu Kumar Sutradhar confirmed the crop and vegetable damages.
He said, soon after recession of the flood water, affected farmers were listed, and the list was sent to the authorities concerned for incentive assistance.
"We think the incentive approach will be considered with importance," he added.
The official further said, if assisted, farmers will be able to recover their losses a bit.
