Staff Reporter

Padma and Gorai rivers flowing through Kushtia district are almost dead today. There is no water in the river as expected. Due to Farakka’s negative influence, Pramatta Gorai has now turned into a small canal. Along with that, the water level has gone down.

Water is not rising in thousands of tube wells in the southern part of Kushtia district including municipal areas. Due to the decrease in the water level, along with the people here, the biodiversity, farming and normal life are under threat.

Meanwhile, the temperature is increasing every day. In Khulna division, the maximum temperature on Saturday was 42.6 degrees in Jessore, 42.3 degrees in Chuadanga, 41.2 degrees in Khulna, 40.7 degrees in Satkhira, 41.7 degrees in Mongla, 41.2 degrees in Kushtia and 41.6 degrees in Ishwardi. There is a cry for water across Kushtia district.

The concerned authorities say that they have nothing to do to solve this natural problem. But if it rains, the situation will change. Almost all the tube wells in the area have become useless due to falling water level. The ones that are working are getting very little water. It takes more than half an hour to fetch a bucket of water.

Kushtia municipal area, Kumarkhali and Khoksa upazilas including Pashvarti district and upazilas are also experiencing water crisis. But the condition of the people living on the banks of the Gorai river is worst. The water shortage is so acute that it is difficult to arrange water for cooking, bathing and livestock. They have never faced such a crisis before.

Dredging under the Syed Mach Ud Rumi Bridge and Jaduboyra Gorai Bridge on the Gorai River has some water flow, but most of the pillars are on dhudhu sand.

Common people are now crossing many places of Gorai River on foot. Gorai river empty of water is only a memory now. Many are commenting that this Gorai river is in bad condition due to the adverse effect of Farakka.

Compared to previous years, the water level has dropped by 25 to 30 feet, so water is not rising in the tube wells. People’s lives are in jeopardy as alternative water supply systems are not activated. The production of supply water arranged by the municipality is also very low. The Department of Public Health is responsible for the widespread use of deep tubewells for the water level to decrease.

They say that during the dry season, as the water level goes down, the water in the river also dries up, in that case, the tube wells which have less layers should not rise in water. They also suggest planning to lay a deeper layer in case of laying new tubewells.

A resident of Ward No. 3 of Kumarkhali Municipality said that the water shortage is so severe that it has become difficult to provide drinking water. They struggle to collect water for bathing and cattle. He said he had never seen such a crisis before.

A housewife of Jaduboyra village said that although there is a tap, there is no water in it. Water shortage is going on in most of the houses. In whose tap water is rising, there is a long line to bring it.