M Muslim Chowdhury, Srimangal (Moulvibazar) Correspondent //

Due to the ongoing drought in Srimangal, Moulvibazar, the groundwater level is dropping at an alarming rate. As a result, water is not rising in many tubewells and tubewells in the city and surrounding rural areas. Local residents are in extreme distress.

Experts believe that this situation has occurred due to the intense sun and long drought in Chaitra.

After investigating, it was learned that the water layer of tubewells has dropped in various places in Srimangal city and upazila. Locals are suffering as water is not flowing normally in tubewells.

Suraiya Khanam, a resident of College Road Biraimpur, said that when she went to draw water in the morning, she found that the tubewells were completely dry. When she called the pipe mechanic, she found that the water was not rising due to the falling water level. Not only private tubewells, but also tubewells of many educational institutions and mosques-madrasas have experienced water shortages. As a result, many people have to fetch water from far away for clean water.

According to the Srimangal Upazila Agriculture Office, if this situation continues for a longer period, it may have an adverse impact on agricultural activities. In particular, the production of Boro rice and summer vegetables will be threatened.

Srimangal Public Health Engineer Md. Saiful Islam told The Daily Morning Sun, “Since there is no alternative water source in Srimangal, everyone is dependent on groundwater. So the water level decreases a little every year, but this time the water level has dropped even lower due to the lack of rainfall. He said that none of the deep tubewells provided by the government have been closed, and there are reports of water levels in some tubewells dropping at the individual level.
He also said that tea gardens, agriculture, houses, offices and courts are all using groundwater. In addition, several new large industrial factories have been set up in Srimangal and more are being built. They are also dependent on groundwater. This is expected to further decrease the water level. He requested people to prevent water wastage and use water consciously.

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