NOAKHALI, Apr $ The Irri-Boro cultivation in six thanas of Noakhali district lias been badly affected as .the existing irrigation network is not functioning properly due to the water scarcity and the production. target will not be achieved.

According to Agriculture Extension Department (AED) official source, the ground water level has fallen abnormally due to the prolonged drought. Seventy-five per cent irrigation pumps have gone out of order due to drying up of rivers, canals, ponds, and beels in the current season.

In Noakhali most of the irrigation projects have to depend on the reserved water. , an official said, as underground water of most areas of the district is saline.

The source said 44 thousand 4 hundred and 50 hectares of land- in the district were brought under Irri-Boro cultivation but only 27 thousand 5 hundred and 23 hectares of land were culti-vaied.

The official said that the production target of Aman paddy were not achieved this year due to same reason.