Farmers Cut Dams in Sunamganj to Save Submerged Crops

Heavy rainfall over the last few days has left approximately 1,200 hectares of Boro paddy submerged in Dekhar Haor. Faced with the imminent loss of their "golden crops" and a lack of immediate administrative intervention, local farmers have taken the drastic step of cutting through embankment dams to drain the waterlogged fields.

On Friday morning, hundreds of farmers from East Pagla Union used heavy machinery to breach a section of the Water Development Board’s (WDB) Project No. 19 dam. This follows a similar action taken last Wednesday, when farmers cut a closure on the Putia River (Project No. 16) to lower water levels.

Local farmer Chhamir Uddin Saleh expressed the community's desperation: "Thousands of hectares are drowning before our eyes. We contacted the administration multiple times but received no solution. We are cutting the dams on our own initiative to save our livelihoods and have already stocked soil and bags to repair the breach once the water clears."

Sadek Mia, a local UP member, claimed that while officials visited the site, the responsibility for drainage and subsequent repair was left to the community. "We were told it is our responsibility to cut the dams and rebuild them within 48 hours. We are funding this ourselves," he said.

The situation has highlighted a critical flaw in regional infrastructure. Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mohammad Shahjahan, who visited the area, admitted that better planning was necessary. "Haor dams must be designed to not only block external water but also allow internal rainwater to drain. The farmers have assured me the breaches will be repaired within 48 hours."

While the Water Development Board noted they were informed of the farmers' intentions, Deputy Assistant Engineer Md. Moniruzzaman clarified that no formal permission was granted, though the board has surveyed the sites.