Standing Aman crops In the south-western districts have been extensively damaged by the recent flood and cultivation of Boro and Rabi (winter) crops will be hampered because of water stagnation in many areas.

Although floodwater receded from roads, highways and high lands, many areas, particularly cropland in Satkhira. Jessore and Chuadanga districts are still under water. Floodwater in these districts Is receding very slowly.

Local people and government officials said that floodw'ater became stagnant in most of the cropland due to lack of outlets as roads, highways and dams were constructed without proper planning in those districts.

Many farmers in Satkhira. Jessore and Chuadanga districts told the Daily Star that they have lost standing Aman crop and are fearing that at least 50 per cent of Boro and winter crops would be damaged.

"Standing Aman crop on my 80 bigha land was damaged by onslaught of floodwater, and I don’t know' whether 1 would be able to cultivate Boro or winter crops because my land is still

under chest-high water." said Sarwar Hossain of Subarnakhali in Jessore.

His neighbour Azlzur Rahman said that they need financial help from the government lo cultivate next crop and build houses.

"My two big houses collapsed during the flood and I do not have any money to build new ones." said Azlzur.

As much as 90 per cent of the land in Sharsha thana and almost half of Jhikargacha thana under Jessore districts are still reeling under water. While floodwater receded from Satkhira district town, many areas under Sadar. Debha t a , Tala. Ashashuni. KaliganJ and Kalaroa thanas are still submerged.

Locals said this part of the country' has not been flooded for quite a long time and so policymakers and local administration never thought of having a mechanism to drain out water from cropland.

Besides, most of the rivers and big canals in these districts are either dead or have been narrowed because of siltation over the years, disrupting normal flow of water.

According to farmers and officials of Department of Agriculture Extension, most of the cropland In the flood-affected districts would take another two months to be fully ready for cultivation for the next crop.

The Department ofAgriculture Extension has already started distribution of seeds for Boro crop. They are also ready to provide seeds to the small and marginalised farmers free of cost.

They however said the farmers would face shortage of seeds once floodwater recedes from cropland.

Many flood-affected people have returned home but are staying under ojjen sky as their houses gave in to Ihe deluge.

They need immediate financing for constructing houses. District administration sources said the worst -affected people will get only Tk 1000 for repair and rebuilding damaged houses which, in fact, is pHiful.

A large number of people were seen living on temporary platform built alongside roads and high-

They said that they are unemployed. as forming is yet to start.