Three consecutive months of heavy rain have submerged around 4,000 bighas of farmland in Chaugachha upazila of Jashore, leaving at least 10,000 families in Narayanpur Union directly affected.
Farmers say that due to the absence of a permanent solution to waterlogging, they suffer massive agricultural losses every year. This season, they fear the damage could exceed Tk50 crore.
A field visit revealed that Sonabele and Phastala fields in Narayanpur Union are completely under rainwater. Crops including paddy, banana, jute, dragon fruit, guava orchards, and various seasonal vegetables and fruits have been destroyed.
Farmer Mofizul said, “For the last 30 years, whenever the monsoon comes, my land goes underwater. Whether I grow paddy, maize, or jute, the crops are submerged before harvest.”
Another farmer, Abdul Malek, alleged that waterlogging has turned once quadruple-crop land into single-crop land.
Seeking a permanent solution, farmer Tariqul Islam Dablur has submitted a written appeal to the Upazila Agriculture Extension Department and the Upazila Parishad. He claims that constructing a half-kilometer-long drainage channel to divert the water into the Kapotakkho River would end the crisis.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Mushabbir Hossain said that normally 1,750 hectares of land in Narayanpur produce Aman paddy, but this year, 500 hectares remain waterlogged due to excessive rainfall.
He added that efforts are underway in coordination with the upazila administration to resolve the issue.