Sluice gate shut at Kansat leaves 35,000 bighas under water, thousands of farmers in distress

Around 33,000 to 35,000 bighas of farmland in Khirir Beel of Shibganj upazila in Chapainawabganj lie under water because the Water Development Board's sluice gate at the mouth of the Pagla river near Kansat remains shut. Thousands of farmers are suffering as a result.

Although water has receded from most of Pithalitala, parts of Bilbhatia, Damus and other beels in the district, waterlogging persists in Khirir Beel because the sluice gate near Kansat town is closed. The waterlogging in Daipukuria union's Khirir Beel, instead of helping farmers, has now become a cause of loss.

The gate was opened three days ago following farmers' demands, but was shut again within about an hour, leaving nearly 33,000 to 35,000 bighas of farmland submerged. With water not drained in time, farmers are spending their days in frustration and uncertainty, unable to cultivate their land.

Local people say Khirir Beel covers about 35,000 bighas, spanning parts of Bholahat and Shibganj upazilas. Before the monsoon, farmers grow Aus paddy on this land, and after the monsoon they grow mashkalai and various vegetables on the mud-free land. Once the land dries, another crop can be grown there.

The beel comprises 16,000 bighas in Bilbhatia of Shibganj upazila, 10,000 bighas in Amgachhi of Bholahat upazila and about 9,000 bighas in Daipukuria union. At least 4,000 farmers own land in this beel. As the land is low-lying, it stays submerged for at least three months, and if the Kansat sluice gate is not opened in time, the 35,000 bighas remain waterlogged for four more months. As a result, farmers can grow only paddy on this land.

Had the gate been opened partially in early October this season, at least 20,000 bighas in the area would have become cultivable. After harvesting mashkalai and other crops, another crop could have been grown. And had it been opened in early November, drainage would have made cultivation possible on 95 percent of the land in the area.

The gate was opened three days ago at the affected farmers' demand, but was closed again within an hour for unknown reasons, leaving farmers disappointed.

Md Tajamul Haque, a 60-year-old farmer of Daipukuria union, said he cannot grow mustard and other seasonal crops because water still covers his six bighas of land. With the Kansat sluice gate shut, the beel's water cannot drain naturally, so farmland has stayed waterlogged for a long time.

Another farmer, Masikul Islam, said 35 of his 60 bighas lie in this beel. "I got only one paddy crop. Boats still ply on the land, and it is full of water hyacinth. Even after drainage arrangements were made, it was shut again under pressure from influential people. What will we eat all year? How will the family survive?" he asked.

Farmer Monirul Islam said farming is their main source of livelihood, but they are deeply worried about growing mustard and other seasonal crops while the land stays waterlogged. If the water does not recede in time, crop production this season will suffer.

Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mazharul Islam said the authorities are aware of the waterlogging in Khirir Beel and are treating water control and drainage through the sluice gate seriously. Considering the farmers' suffering, he said, discussions will be held with the relevant authorities to take prompt steps for drainage.

Meanwhile, Mehedi Hasan, executive engineer of the Water Development Board, said a committee comprising a board engineer, the Shibganj UNO, public representatives and farmers controls drainage and the Kansat sluice gate. The gate was recently opened on the committee's decision, but was closed again in the evening at the request of some individuals. He said the committee members will investigate the matter and arrange to open the gate quickly in the farmers' interest.