Rajshahi, July 3 (V7N)- Due to the sudden rise in the water level of the Padma River, nearly 3,000 families from 15 chars (river islands) in the Chakrajapur Union of Bagha Upazila, Rajshahi, have become waterlogged. Hundreds of bighas of crops have been submerged. On Tuesday, July 2, a farmer named Babul Sheikh was seen trying to save peanuts submerged in the water at Manik Char.
 
It has been reported that over a hundred families live in Manik Char, all of whom are now waterlogged. The same situation prevails in the other 14 chars. The primary source of income for these farmers is agriculture. Currently, water surrounds the area, submerging their crops. Babul Sheikh was trying to save the peanuts from his flooded field.
 
Reports indicate that about 20,000 people reside in the 15 chars of the Padma River, with nearly 3,000 families. Almost every family in Manik Char builds their homes on annually rented land. Local peanut farmer Babul Sheikh mentioned that he had cultivated peanuts on 6 bighas of land in Manik Char. Although he managed to harvest peanuts from 3 bighas, the remaining 3 bighas were submerged before he could harvest them.
 
He is trying to salvage some of them. He mentioned that he couldn't harvest the submerged peanuts due to a labor shortage. However, local laborers stated that they were unwilling to work due to the fear of Russell's viper snakes, putting the farmers in a difficult position. As a result, peanuts from 3 bighas remain underwater.
 
Another farmer from the char, Azgar Ali, said, "I live with my wife and two sons in two rented houses on someone else's land. Due to the rising water of the Padma, we are in trouble with our goats and cows. There is no agricultural work now. Sometimes, we catch fish with nets and sell them to manage our household expenses."
 
Jalal Uddin, a member of the Chakrajapur Union, said, "Manik Char, Diyarkadirpur, Tiktikipara Char, and parts of Chakrajapur and Kalidaskhali form Ward No. 1 of Chakrajapur Union. This ward has more than three hundred families and 1,035 voters. Most of the land in this ward is low-lying and cultivable. The extensive damage will occur to the planted peanuts and jute. Most of the crops have been submerged in water."
 
Former chairman of Chakrajapur Union Parishad, Azizul Azam, said, "There are nearly 3,000 families in the Padma chars. They are now waterlogged. Water has reached most of the houses in the chars. Farmers could not harvest half of the 473 hectares of peanuts, and those peanuts are now submerged. Many people are diving underwater to retrieve the peanuts."
 
Upazila Agriculture Officer Shafiullah Sultan said, "Some farmers couldn't harvest the peanuts from their fields. Those have been submerged, along with some jute. Peanuts were cultivated on 473 hectares, and jute was cultivated on 4,780 hectares."
 
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