Hundreds of bighas of vegetable fields in the low-lying areas of the vast char area of Bera Upazila in Pabna have been submerged as over the past few days, water level of the Jamuna River has risen due to the torrential rains and heavy rainfall coming down from the hills.
Zahid Molla, UP member of Ward No 9 of Haturia-Nakalia Union of the upazila, said that in the past one week, hundreds of bighas of land in the low-lying areas of Char Nagdah village, including Masakalai, paddy and various types of vegetables have been submerged under water. The farmers of this region have become quite depressed.
A Sattar Bepari of Char Sandashia village said that most of the vegetables including brinjal, pumpkin, cucumber, gourd, and green chili are mainly imported to the local markets from the char area along the river. As most of the vegetable fields have been submerged in the floodwater, the import of vegetables to the markets has decreased, as a result of which the prices are also increasing rapidly. This has made it impossible for low-income people to go to the market and do their best.
Ghaznavi of Char Safullah village said, “My 5 bighas of emerging paddy and vegetable fields have been submerged in the floodwater. I had cultivated these lands on loan, but I am in trouble as the fields have been submerged due to untimely heavy rains.”
Another farmer of Char Nagdah village, Afan Majhi, said that the paddy fields of his 3 bighas of land have been submerged in the flood water. In addition, farmers are living in extreme anxiety as hundreds of bighas of low-lying land in various areas of the char area, including paddy fields and many vegetable crops are submerged.
Locals also said that if the water level of the Jamuna River continues to rise, hundreds of bighas of land in the char area will be flooded, causing extensive damage.
Bera Upazila Agriculture Officer, Agriculturist Nusrat Kabir said, "According to the information, some low-lying lands in the char area are have been flooded.
However, he said that the damage will not be very large.
