Continuous rain leaves thousands marooned at Char Fasson

CHAR FASSON, BHOLA, July 11: Six consecutive days of heavy rainfall triggered by a seasonal low-pressure system and an active monsoon have left thousands of people marooned in Char Fasson, the southernmost upazila of Bhola, disrupting normal life and causing widespread damage to agriculture and fisheries.

Tidal water from the Meghna and Tetulia rivers inundated villages in all 21 unions under the upazila's four police station areas -- Char Fasson, Shashibhushan, Dularhat and Dakshin Aicha -- submerging homesteads, roads, crop fields and fish farms.

The prolonged water-logging has affected transportation, damaged Aman seedbeds, vegetable fields and fish enclosures, and left farmers, fish growers and low-income families struggling.

Several roads across the upazila have gone under water, disrupting traffic. Many earthen roads have turned muddy, making it difficult for students, office-goers and patients to travel. Water has also accumulated in the courtyards of many homes, adding to the suffering of residents.

Farmers said excessive rainfall has submerged aman seedbeds and vegetable fields, raising fears of extensive crop losses if the water does not recede soon.

Harun-or-Rashid, a farmer from Char Manika Union, said his aman seedbeds and vegetable fields had been inundated after several days of heavy rain.

"Cucumber, bitter gourd and green chilli crops have suffered extensive damage. If the rain continues, the losses will be much greater," he said.

Fish farmer Mohammad Forkan of Char Madraz Union said he had never experienced such devastation in his seven years of fish farming.

"Three of my fish farms have gone under water. Fish worth around Tk 800,000 to Tk 900,000 have escaped from the ponds," he said.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Monajmul Huda said standing water had already damaged vegetables cultivated on 1,210 hectares of land and aman seedbeds covering another 170 hectares.

Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Jayanta Kumar Apu said an initial assessment showed that 2,360 fish farmers had been affected.

He said 3,671 small and large fish farms, covering around 218 hectares, had been inundated. An estimated 272 tonnes of fish and fry had washed away, causing preliminary losses of about Tk 54 million.

"The assessment is continuing, and the damage estimate will be updated as more information becomes available," he said.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rumana Afroz said the administration was monitoring the situation round the clock.

"Water has started receding gradually from areas where rainwater had accumulated. No major damage has been reported so far, although farmers and fish growers have suffered losses due to the prolonged rainfall," she said.

The UNO also distributed relief among destitute families living along the embankment from Betua to Hazariganj. The assistance included rice, lentils, salt, sugar, edible oil and spices such as turmeric, chilli and cumin powder.

During the visit, she spoke with affected residents, listened to their concerns and assured them of further support if needed.
The relief brought visible relief and smiles to many struggling families.

However, officials warned that losses in the agriculture and fisheries sectors could rise significantly if the adverse weather persists.