Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan speaking at a press briefing at the Bhabodah College ground. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, April 22, 2025 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said a feasibility study has been launched to find a permanent solution to the waterlogging issue in the Bhabodah area of Jashore.

She made the remark during a press briefing, held at the Bhabodah College ground, following an inspection to the water drainage system at the Bhabodah 21-Vent Sluice Gate.

Rizwana said the government is committed to implementing a sustainable and lasting resolution to the waterlogging crisis in Bhabodah. The area encompasses 20,000 hectares of cultivable land, and this year, 17,000 hectares have been brought under paddy cultivation, she said.

Mentioning that the current interim government is engaging all local stakeholders to find a long-term solution to the issue, she said based on public input and expert recommendations, efforts will be made to initiate steps toward a permanent resolution.

The adviser stated that interim measures have been undertaken to prevent a repeat of last year’s monsoon misery during the upcoming monsoon season, referring to the instance of excavation work of Amdanga canal which has already began.

She added that the dredging of the Hari, Bhadra, and Aparbhadra rivers will commence soon, and the Bangladesh Army will carry out this work to prevent water accumulation as experienced last monsoon.
 
Rizwana continued, “Everyone is now on high alert. While certain natural factors remain beyond human control, every effort will be made to alleviate the suffering of the people.”

She went on, saying the Ministry of Power introduced a scheme to exempt them from commercial electricity rates for irrigation to support farmers and this initiative greatly benefited those who had been marooned in water for five months.

The adviser described the waterlogging crisis as a national disaster, stressing the need for a collective approach to address it. 

She underscored the importance of engaging with the local communities to find solutions that serve the broader population. “We will go towards a solution that will solve the issue for the larger community. It is not possible to talk about any single solution now,” she added.

Replying to queries, the adviser also mentioned that investigations into irregularities and corruption have already begun. 

A committee has been formed under the Water Development Board, which includes representatives from the district administration, local residents, students, and external experts, she said, adding, these representatives are submitting reports highlighting areas where work is progressing slowly or the quality is subpar, and necessary actions are being taken accordingly.

Home Affairs and Agriculture Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Abdul Hafiz, Water Resources Secretary Nazmul Ahsan, Agriculture Secretary Dr Emdad Ullah Mian, BGB Director General Major Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, among others, were present.

Earlier, the advisers were present at a briefing organized by the army at the conference room of Nawapara Government College on the Bhabodah waterlogging problem and possible solutions of it.