The recent flash floods have caused extensive damage to crops, including jute and sesame in different areas in Tangail.
According to local sources, over the past few weeks, water levels in Jamuna have increased due to the upstream flow of hill torrents. As a result, the low-lying croplands along the river have been submerged.
Most of the crops in the Gabshara, Arjuna, Nikrail, and Govindashi unions of Bhuapur Upazila are underwater, with the rest on the verge of submersion.
According to sources from the Water Development Board Tangail Office, the water in the Jamuna River at the Porabari point in the district is flowing 1.8 cm below the danger level. The upazila agricultural department is maintaining constant contact with the farmers.
In this regard, Bhuapur Upazila Agricultural Officer Md Mokhlesur Rahman said that 1,610 hectares of land in the upazila have been cultivated with sesame this season. Among them, 20 hectares of immature sesame have been submerged and rotted in the floodwaters. Jute has been cultivated on 2,830 hectares of land, and at least 32 hectares of land have been damaged. The affected farmers are being listed.
Farmers had cultivated jute and sesame in most of these lands, and now they will not be able to harvest the expected yield from these crops due to this increase in water level. Many farmers are harvesting immature sesame plants submerged in water. However, they will not get much yield from these. Therefore, they have expressed concerns about losses in jute and sesame cultivation this season.
On the other hand, illegal sand extraction from various parts of the Jamuna River is causing the croplands in the char areas to break and disappear into the river due to the strong flow of water.
Abdul Alim, a farmer from Kalipur village in Gabshara Union, said that the water level in the river has been rising for several weeks. This has submerged various low-lying areas of the char areas.
"Sesame, jute, along with other crops, are getting submerged. This year, I cultivated sesame on several bighas of land. Due to the increased water level, I have to harvest them before they mature. As a result, I will face significant losses in sesame cultivation this season," he added.
Mofazzal Hossain Sarkar of Jagatpura village in Arjuna Union said that floodwaters have entered the char areas this year. Among them, sesame and young jute plants have been most affected.
"Many are harvesting immature sesame plants. If the water continues to rise, farmers will face losses in sesame and jute cultivation. There is also a risk of damage to other crops. However, water levels have not risen in the past two days. Still, the submerged sesame plants are rotting," he added.
