The water level of all the rivers in Ulipur of Kurigram has decreased. The overall flood situation has improved in the area. Those who took shelter in shelters, embankment roads and high safe places after the floods inundated houses in different parts of the char region and lowlands have now returned home. However, there is an acute shortage of baby food, clean water, toilets and cattle feed. In addition, even though water has receded from the houses in the flood-hit areas, the rural roads including the houses are muddy. Although the government has taken various steps for the flood victims, government relief has not yet reached the remote char areas.
The people of Bajra, Thetrai, Gunaigach, Daldalia, Hatia, Buraburi, Begumganj and Saheb Alga Unions of the upazila, which is surrounded by Brahmaputra and Teesta rivers, are not able to get food. Meanwhile, farmers have had to harvest semi-ripe paddy due to early floods in the current Boro season.
Again, many could not cut the paddy and take it home due to labor crisis and water rot. At such a stage, even if the farmer stockpiled a small amount of straw, it was destroyed by the ongoing floods. As a result, there is an acute food crisis now.
According to the Upazila Animal Resources Office, there are about 600 farms in the upazila. There are 24,634 animals ready for sacrifice. Due to the floods, farmers are facing temporary difficulties for raw grass.
According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, 555 hectares of land has been submerged in the floods, of which 229 hectares of land have been damaged.
Abdul Aziz, a cattle farmer from Char Gujimari in Hatia Union of the upazila, said the price of bran and feed has gone up. Meanwhile, the field was submerged in the flood waters and the grass and herbs that were there were rotted.
The leftover straw was also destroyed in the flood. Now I do not know what to feed my 6 cows. Lalon Mia, Jafiul, Saidul Islam and Ravi Mia, who raise cattle in the area, said the same thing.
Shakil Rana, Anshar Ali, Bahadur Mia, Yunus Ali and Gulu traders of Akkel Mamud area of Begumganj union of the upazila said, "People of our char cultivate different types of winter grains including sesame, almond, kaun and maize." And besides that I sell 2-4 cows a year. This time the floods have caused severe damage to crops. I will also sell cows in the future. Due to lack of money, we cannot buy cow dung and feed. The floods have also submerged the pastures and destroyed the grass and youth. As a result, we have a food crisis. If the cows are not fed husk, feed and raw grass at this time, good price will not be available on Eid.
Upazila Animal Resources Officer said. Rezwanur Haque said there was a temporary shortage of grass for the farmers. However, the effect will not fall on the sacrificial animal. The amount of loss to the farmers is being assessed. Their plight has been reported to higher authorities.
In this regard, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Bipul Kumar said, Tk 3.5 lakh has been allocated for baby food and Tk 3.5 lakh for cow food. Orders have been placed to buy cow-food. In fact, it will be delivered in a day or two.
