SIRAJGANJ, May 22: Around 3,000 bighas of ripe paddy fields in Sonakhara and Dhubil unions of Raiganj Upazila of the district have been submerged due to continuous rainfall over the past few days, leaving hundreds of farmers at risk of severe financial losses.
Farmers said water-logging caused by inadequate drainage has led to widespread submergence of ready-to-harvest Boro paddy. They blamed years of poor water management and unplanned pond excavation for blocking natural drainage routes, a problem they say has been recurring every year.
Locals reported that vast agricultural lands in villages including Gopinathpur, Shrirampur, Gopalpur, Kalia, West Atghoria, Chakdadpur, Bashail, Rajapur and Boaill have been affected as artificial water-logging spread across the area this season.
As a result, many farmers fear they will not be able to harvest their crops properly. Even where harvesting is possible, farmers say the submerged paddy emits a foul smell, making it difficult to sell in the market. Traders are either refusing to buy or offering much lower prices.
Affected farmer Saiful Islam Dulal said harvesting submerged paddy requires additional labour costs of Tk 8,000 to Tk 9,000 per bigha. "We are forced to sell at very low prices," he said, adding that urgent drainage solutions are needed.
Agricultural worker Kalu Sheikh said harvesting paddy from flooded fields is extremely difficult and labour-intensive, which increases costs significantly.
Raiganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Mominul Islam said affected areas have been identified and listed, and higher authorities have been informed.
Sirajganj-3 MP Md Ainul Haque said the issue has been raised in coordination meetings and a proposal for a permanent drainage system has already been sent to the Agriculture Ministry.
He said steps have been taken to introduce modern pipelines and permanent drainage infrastructure to solve the problem ahead of the next season, and also instructed action against unplanned pond excavation.
