Staff Reporter:

The recent flood caused by rains and onrush of water from upstream has damaged huge crops estimated worth about Tk 63 crore in five upazilas of Sirajganj district.

Of the damaged crops, jute, sesame, eggplant, gourd, bottle gourd, chilli, ladyfingers, unseasonal radish and Aush paddy are mentionable. Besides, many seedbeds have also been damaged by the flood putting the farmers at misery, said the officials of Agriculture Extension Department (AED).

However, the affected farmers will be provided necessary assistances after preparing list according to the proportion of damages, the officials added.

Babul Kumer Sutradhar, Deputy Director of AED in Sirajganj told The Daily Sky that, “At least 37,046 farmers of five upazilas respectively Sirajganj Sadar, Kazipur, Belkuchi, Shahzadpur and Chowhali in the district have incurred losses at around Tk 63 crore due to damage of crops from recent floods. Meanwhile, we have informed the matter to higher authorities seeking financial supports. We are expecting to get the assistance within short time.”

He further said, “About 6,525 hectares of land were inundated by the flood water lasted for around three weeks. Consequently, crops on about 3,185.1 hectares of land were damaged completely, while crops of other lands were damaged partially that causes a total of loss at around Tk 63 crore.”

Rahman Ali, a farmer of Kawakola union in Sirajganj Sadar upazila said, “I planted chilli on a bigha of land. But, all of my plants have been damaged by the recent floods making me financially crippled. Now, I have no way to survive by recouping the losses.”

Moslim Uddin, a farmer of Kazipur Char (shoal) told The Daily Sky that, “I cultivated various varieties of vegetables on my two bighas of lands. But, the vegetables were damaged by the flood. Finding no way, I am now trying to cultivate the lands anew. But, it is pushing me to spend additional money.”

Afsar Ali, another farmer of the same area said, “I cultivated eggplants on two bighas of land near my house. But, the plants were damaged completely after inundating by the flood water.”

“Now, I am in concern over how I shall survive along with my family,” he added.

Nazmul Islam, Sub-Divisional Engineer (SDE) of Water Development Board (WDB) in Sirajganj told The Daily Sky that, “People of five upazila in Sirajganj district experienced flood recently due to rains and onrush of water from upstream. Now, the flood water has started receding and is flowing below the danger level. There is no chance of fresh flood shortly. As a result, the affected people in the area have started returning to their homes and resumed farming freshly.”

Anwar Shadat, Upazila Agriculture Officer in Sirajganj Sadar told The Daily Sky that, “We are gathering information about the proportion of damages caused by recent flood. Necessary action would be taken after generating information and preparing list of the flood-hit-people. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Sirajganj has taken several measures to assist the farmers, who have affected by the devastating flood. We are also providing different advises to the farmers in which they can reclaim their losses by cultivating flood tolerable crops on their lands in future.”