Tk 3cr crops set to be damaged for blocked canal at Gangachara

GANGACHARA, RANGPUR, Apr 11: Farmers in Gangachara Upazila fear massive crop losses after influential landowners blocked a key drainage canal, causing severe water-logging in nearly 200 acres of Boro paddy fields.

Locals allege that five landowners recently filled the mouth of a culvert with soil to construct houses, shutting off the natural water flow. As a result, rainwater from upstream flooded about two square kilometres of farmland in Mornea union's Bara Rupai Village. Several paddy fields have already rotted under stagnant water.

Affected farmers said they had warned of the risk months ago. In January, over a hundred cultivators submitted a petition to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), urging immediate action to reopen the canal. However, no steps were taken in the past three months. Farmers now fear losing crops worth nearly Tk 3 crore this season if the situation persists.

One of the complainants, Sirajul Islam, said, "We appealed to the administration, but nothing was done. Now our fields are drowning, and our livelihoods are at stake."

When contacted, landowners Abdus Sabur, Jahangir, and others admitted to filling the land but claimed they would reopen the culvert "within a few days."

UNO Jesmin Akter said the matter has been referred to the Assistant Commissioner (Land) for necessary action.