Md. Mijanur Rahman Akanda, Phulpur: Even after 26 years, the waterlogging problem in two wetlands of Phulpur Municipality has not been resolved. Thousands of residents have been suffering severe hardships for more than two decades due to the lack of an effective drainage system for the Bhuidda Buri and Kunda Buri wetlands in Ward No. 9 of Fulpur Municipality.

About seven years ago, in 2020, steps were taken to resolve the waterlogging issue through a drainage project under the initiative of then Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shitesh Chandra Sarkar, Upazila Parishad Chairman Ataul Karim Russell, Municipal Mayor Mr. Shashadhar Sen, and local residents. Later, in 2023, former UNO M. Sajjadul Hasan formally inaugurated earth-cutting work for the construction of a drainage channel aimed at ensuring water flow from the wetlands. However, the drainage construction work was not completed later due to unknown reasons.

As a result, every year during the rainy season, thousands of people living near the wetlands in Amuakanda village, including the Ledu Sarker Bari, Bagan Bari neighborhood, and Karaha village, face extreme suffering. With the arrival of the months of Ashar and Shraban (the monsoon season in the Bengali calendar), rainwater submerges numerous paddy fields, fish farm embankments, and local roads around the wetlands.

During this period, knee- to waist-deep water remains in the courtyards of many houses. Kitchens, cattle sheds, household stoves, and living rooms are also flooded. The affected residents face various problems, including shortages of safe drinking water and food.

Therefore, thousands of people from the two villages have appealed to the administration and local representatives for their cooperation in permanently resolving the long-standing waterlogging crisis and freeing them from this suffering.