The natural drainage systems across various rivers, canals, beels, and water bodies in Osmaninagar upazila, Sylhet, have been severely disrupted due to widespread encroachment and filling by influential syndicates.
This has caused recurrent waterlogging during the monsoon season and acute water shortages for farmers during the dry season, threatening Boro paddy cultivation and leaving extensive agricultural lands uncultivated.
Locals report that encroachers have narrowed waterways by building small culverts, placing earth fills, or erecting unauthorized dams. Although these canals and water bodies historically provided abundant irrigation water for seasonal crops, the lack of rigorous administrative oversight has emboldened illegal occupiers.
Affected farmers and residents are urgently demanding that authorities identify and rescue encroached rivers and canals, demolish illegal structures, remove dams, and restore natural water flows to mitigate both monsoon floods and dry-season irrigation crises.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Osmaninagar (Sylhet) Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
