Ariful Islam from Natore:

Low-lying areas including at least 475 hectares of croplands in Lalpur upazila of Natore district has been inundated as the mighty river Padma keeps swelling due to incessant rain and onrush of water from the upstream causing huge damage to the crops like sugarcane, radish, carrot, brinjal and pulse.

Rafiqul Alam Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of Water Development Board (WDB) in Natore told The Daily Sky that, “The Water of Padma river may increase for next five to seven days due to torrential rains and onrush of water from upstream. The water of Padma river near Harding Bridge in Ishwardi was flowing about 1.5 meter below the danger level on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, several low-lying areas of Lalpur upazila of the district including Nawshara Sultanpur, Chakla Binodpur, Diarshankarpur, Araji Baknai, Rasulpur and Mohorkoya under Bilmaria union have been inundated with the flood water gushing from Padma.”

Muntaz Ali, a farmer of Bilmaria village in the upazila told The Daily Sky (TDS) that, “Three bighas of my cropland including radish and brinjal have gone under water. As a result, I am now in frustration over its future. If the crops are damaged for prolonging of the flood water, I shall incur huge loses.”

Alal Ali, a farmer of Araji Baknai Char in the upazila told TDS that, “My four bighas of croplands along with radish, carrot and brinjal have engulfed with the water. Now I don’t know how to find out new path for survival.”

Upazila Agriculture Extension (AE) office sources said, the recent flood affected about 410 hectares of sugarcane, 45 hectares of vegetable, 10 hectares of banana and 10 hectares of pulse (Mashkolai variety) field in the upazila.

On the other hand, flood affected people especially who live in different Chars are facing trouble over their domestic animals.

Arif Mandal, owner of a dairy farm in Ilshamari Char told The Daily Sky that, “We are facing suffering over our domestic animals as there is no grass anywhere. All the fields of grass have gone under water. Besides, the prices of cattle fodders are high in the market.”

Lal Mohammad, Member of Bilmaria Union Parishad’s Ward no-2 told The Daily Sky that, “Due to flash flood, many croplands in my wards have been damaged drastically. If the trend of rising water continues, about 500 families in my ward are likely to maroon.

Pritom Kumar Horh, Agriculture Officer (AO) in Lalpur said, “We will able to assess the damage after recession of water. Then, we will send the report of damage to our high-officials for further action.”

Mehedi Hasan, UNO of the upazila told that, “I have asked all the public representatives to look after the matter sincerely. Besides, agriculture and livestock departments have been asked to monitor the situation.”