Sagar Chowdhury, Chandpur

Lakhs of people have been trapped in the flood in Chandpur. About two hundred families have taken shelter in flood shelters. Neelkamal Union of Haimchar in the district is under the influence of erosion. Due to the flood, the fisheries and crops of the district were severely damaged.

The Water Development Board said that the water level of Dakatia river is fluctuating by 1 to 2 feet due to continuous rain. Besides, there is a strong current in Padma-Meghna. Hundreds of families in Hajiganj, Shahrasti and Faridganj upazilas of the district are water-tight. Among them, at least 20 families have taken shelter in Kashimpur Government Primary School of No. 10 Garndhavyapur Union of Hajiganj Upazila, a primary school in Guchchgram area of No. 9 Garndhavyapur Union and some families have taken shelter in a shelter in Nasirkot.

It is being said by the district administration that Rajarajeshwar and Ibrahimpur Unions of Sadar Upazila are somewhat safe as there has been no rain since night. Control rooms have been opened for monitoring in every upazila. On the other hand, social organizations including district police administration, coast guard, naval police are ready.

Zakir Hossain Saikat, a resident of Faridganj upazila, said, “Several hundred people of the upazila have gone to the shelter of Munshirhat.” They are being investigated by the administration. The victims have also taken shelter in the Gallak Adarsha Degree College shelter.

Chandpur sub-divisional engineer Atiq Hossain said, “Due to the effect of tides, the water level of Padma-Meghna in Chandpur was up to 3.65 cm at 7 pm. If it is 4 cm, the water will rise above the danger line. Compared to that, the condition of Chandpur is still normal.

On the other hand, the embankment along the Meghna River bordering the western side of Matlab North is in a vulnerable condition. A volunteer team can be seen repairing a few potholes on a vulnerable embankment.

Chandpur Palli Bidyut Samiti has announced that the electricity connection will be shut down from 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday. The electricity department said that the power line repair work will be done due to the damage due to heavy rain.

People of Chandpur have not seen so much water and waterlogging after 2004. In addition to damage to roads and houses due to continuous heavy rains and tidal water, fishermen also faced losses. Among the eight upazilas of the district, about 20,000 ponds and hundreds of enclosures of Sadar upazila, Faridganj, Hajiganj and Shahrasti upazilas were washed away. About 35 fish projects of Faridganj upazila suffered the most damage. Farmers are claiming that fish worth hundreds of crores of rupees have been washed away in the district.

Munshi Mohammad Monir, the owner of Trapti Matsya Fishery in the Randhunimura area of Hajiganj municipality. He has been farming fish for many years. Recently, in 27 ponds in the area, various species of fish including Rui, Katal, Thai Punti were released. But due to sudden heavy rains, the water in the pond became cloudy and all the fishes were washed away. He has suffered a loss of around 30 to 35 lakh rupees.

Hajiganj Upazila Fisheries Officer Sultana Razia said that in her upazila, 700 hectares of 3,000 ponds are cultivated. Among them, the number of card holder fishermen is 1620. Inquiries are being made to list the extent of damage.

Faridganj upazila has the largest fisheries project in the district. At least more than 60 fodder fisheries are being cultivated in this upazila. Fisherman of Gazipur char. Saiful Islam said, “There are about 40 big fish farmers. Fish worth hundreds of crores of rupees have been washed away. There was no profit with the net. The government should pay attention to these farmers.

Faridganj Upazila Fisheries Officer. Belayet Hossain said, “Apart from suggesting different projects and fish protection in the pond, the amount of damage is being determined.”

There are about 41 thousand 720 ponds in the district. The number of fishermen in the district is 31 thousand 15 people. Out of this, the fishermen of Faridganj and Hajiganj upazilas have been affected the most. The affected fishermen called for government incentives or easy loans.

Faridganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Kallol Kishore Sarkar said, “Many crops of the upazila are submerged in rainwater.” When the rains subside, we will advise the farmers to plant Nabi varieties Aman’s BR-22 and 23 varieties. Talking to seed distributors for this. I will list the affected farmers and send them to the higher authorities.

Deputy Director of Chandpur Agricultural Extension Department Md. Safayet Ahmad Siddiqui said, “Due to heavy rains, planting of crops in Chandpur is being disrupted. Seedbeds are damaged and transplanting is delayed. If the rainfall continues like this, the target planting will be disrupted. The list will be done in this case as we list the farmers during other calamities. So that these affected farmers can be brought under incentives in the next season.