Floodwater enters Sunamganj haor as embankment breaks

Boro paddy farmers in Sunamganj's Dekar Haor are facing severe anxiety after floodwater entered through a breached crop protection embankment. The Guzauni embankment broke in the early hours of Saturday, April 11, prompting hundreds of farmers to rush to repair it.

Officials from the Water Development Board, Department of Agriculture Extension and local administration arrived at the scene, along with local representatives who joined the repair work.

According to agriculture office data, the haor has 45,859 hectares of land, of which over 25,000 hectares are cultivated with Boro paddy. Farmers from Sadar, Shantiganj, Doarabazar and Chhatak upazila cultivate paddy in this area.

Local farmers alleged that lessees had cut the embankment on the Kaimara river adjacent to the Bardai water body for fishing. The embankment was not properly repaired afterwards, leading to its collapse under continuous rain and water pressure.

Farmer Shahid Mia said the embankment had become weak, but repeated complaints to the administration and Water Development Board were not taken seriously.

After the breach, farmers rushed to repair the embankment with spades, bamboo and sandbags. Water Development Board officials later arrived to assist.

Sunamganj Water Development Board Executive Engineer Mamun Hawlader said sandbags and bamboo had been supplied, and work was ongoing in coordination with farmers. He claimed water was now under control and the risk of major damage had lessened.

Farmers fear that if the embankment is not repaired quickly and effectively, this season's Boro crop could face extensive damage.