A tidal surge inundated around 100 acres of farmland in Itbaria village of Patuakhali’s Kalapara upazila, destroying winter crops and washing away fish from at least 10 ponds.
The flood occurred on Tuesday as seawater entered the fields through a worn-out, single-gate sluice connected to the Tiakhali River.
Google News LinkFor all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel.
Local farmers reported that the area is cultivated year-round, with Aman paddy grown during the monsoon, followed by winter crops like pulses, sunflowers, and maize.
Just two days before Eid, the fields were dry and cracked, but now saltwater has submerged everything. Due to the new moon, an unusually high tide overflowed local canals and spread into the fields.
Along with the crops, many farmers’ fish enclosures were also flooded, and saltwater entered household ponds, creating a crisis for daily use and livestock drinking water.
Farmer Mahtab Hossain said, “Suddenly, saltwater entered and flooded the fields. The pulse plants, which were about to be harvested in two weeks, will now rot. It is heartbreaking to see our hard-earned crops being destroyed.”
Another farmer, Delwar Talukdar, said the old, deteriorated sluice gate had long lost its effectiveness.
“Water used to flow in and out unchecked. But this time, due to the intense tidal pressure from the new moon, the entire canal overflowed and submerged the fields. My four-bigha winter crop field is now filled with saline water, and everything is rotting. This is a disaster for all farmers here.”
He said fresh water from ponds and canals was used for cooking and daily needs, but now, due to the saline intrusion, people are facing an acute water crisis.
The executive engineer of the Water Development Board in Kalapara could not be reached for comment as the office was closed.
Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Rabiul Islam said necessary measures would be taken to resolve the issue after Eid.