Farmers in Paikgachha are breathing a sigh of relief after the eroded ring dam at Kumkhali, near the Shanta sluice gate, was finally repaired. The 24-foot-long and 10-foot-wide breach was closed following a two-day effort funded by Garikhali UP Chairman GM Abdus Salam Keru and Bazar Banik Samity President Aminul Islam, with support from the Water Development Board (Paubo) and local residents.
The dam originally breached on Eid-ul-Fitr due to excessive water pressure, allowing saltwater to seep into the Ghoshkhali River. This influx threatened local watermelon, rice, and other seasonal crops, as well as livestock. While the Union Parishad (UP) initially repaired the breach, the dam collapsed a second time shortly after.
Conflicting reports emerged regarding the second breach. Some locals alleged the dam was sabotaged at night to catch fish, while others blamed sustained water pressure from the sluice gate. The resulting saltwater intrusion caused a severe irrigation crisis, leaving farmers desperate to save their harvest.
Shanto Kumar Mondal, a local resident, noted that initial appeals to various government offices for the second repair went unanswered. However, UP Chairman GM Abdus Salam Keru emphasized that the focus remained on securing fresh water for agriculture despite delays and local criticism. With the dam now restored, farmers are hopeful that crop production can proceed without further disruption.
