Dulali Sarkar's family consists of six members. Even though they have their own tube well, water is not coming up for several days. As a result, the family is suffering endless hardships. On one side, there is a strong heat wave and on the other, there is a cry for water. The life of Dulali Sarkar's family is getting upset all together. He is running here and there to solve the water problem. But not a single drop of water is found anywhere.
Not only Dulali Sarkar's family. Such a picture for water thousands of families in seven unions of Baliakandi in Rajbari is prevailing. The Department of Public Health and Engineering said that the water level went down during the severe heat wave and dry season.
Baliakandi Upazila Public Health Engineering Department sources said that Baliakandi Upazila is different from Greater Faridpur due to geographical reason. The ground level of this area is lower than that of the surrounding area. Due to which the water level is dropping by 8 to 10 inches every year. The total number of families in Baliakandi is 50 thousand. According to the government policy, it is mandatory to have at least one tube well for every 5 families.
Accordingly, about 10,000 tube wells are required in Baliakandi. But officially 160 submersible wells have been installed since 2022 and 520 star tube wells since 2019 which is very little compared to the demand.
The tube wells installed by private enterprises are no longer producing water. Public Health Engineering Department said that the water level in Baliakandi is 15 to 22 feet below during the monsoon season. And during the dry season, especially in April, May and June, it falls below 32 feet. No. 6 tube wells installed for private purpose have a pumping capacity of 20 to 24 feet. Due to which there is no water in the region during the dry season. Only government installed star and submersible tube wells have water.
On Thursday (April 25), On a spot visit went to Paikkandi village of Sadar Union and found that almost every house has a tube well, but most of the tube wells do not have water. In some tube wells some water is rising in the morning and evening. Many people are collecting water from where there are government submersibles and star pumps.
Meanwhile, as there is no rain in the month of Baisakh, the worshipers are organizing special prayers and prayers in different areas of Baliakandi for rain.
Gholam Mortaba Riju, a resident of Paikkandi village, told Barta24.com that it has been almost a week that water is not coming out of the tube well of the house. A glass of water rises after 50 presses. His family is suffering from various problems due to lack of water. Especially children and old women are suffering a lot, he said.
Kamruzzaman Kamrul, a resident of Ilishkol village in Baharpur Union, told Barta24.com that they are not suffering due to lack of water. Animals are suffering more than this. The chickens in his house are panting for water. The effect of lack of water in intense sun and extreme heat is not only on humans but also on animals and plants.
Rahim Miah, a farmer of Mechuaghata area of Nawabpur Union, told Barta24.com that he is unable to grow crops in the field due to lack of water. Now is the perfect time to grow whole jute. The land should be irrigated and planted with jute seedlings. He is unable to plant jute seeds due to lack of water.
Baliakandi Upazila Assistant Engineer said that the demand for 10,000 tube wells has been sent to the government to ensure safe water. Rezaul Karim told Barta24.com that 60 percent of families in Baliakandi now lack water. Climate change is affecting the groundwater level in the region.
Every year the water level is going down. The coming days will be more difficult. In order to get safe water and enough water in dry season, tube wells should be planned and installed. Henceforth whoever installs tube wells must be submersible or they install tube wells. All these tube wells are also capable of drawing water from a level below 160 feet.
He also said that if tube wells are installed from now, there will be no worry for water for the next 50 to 60 years.