Whale Merchant, Moulvibazar Correspondent: River water has been rising in Haoranchal for some time now. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Center has warned that the water level in major rivers of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Habiganj and Moulvibazar districts in the north-east of the country may rise further. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has suggested that the paddy fields in these areas should be cut down soon due to the risk of flash floods in the haor inhabited areas due to heavy rains in the upper reaches.

The waters of Surma and Jadukata rivers remained flat till noon yesterday. But after the announcement of the flood forecast, the flood situation is expected to occur in some places in Netrokona district of Surma river and Dhanu Baulai river of Sunamganj. According to the Center, water is flowing over the danger line at two points of Sarigowain river in Sylhet. Farmers in Haoranchal, including Sunamganj, have started harvesting raw and semi-ripe paddy, fearing that the flood situation could worsen.

Following the flood forecast and warning center forecast, the Department of Agricultural Extension is advising to cut paddy quickly. Boro paddy, which is at risk of floods, is advised to be cut when it is 80 per cent ripe.

To protect the crop from flash floods, the Department of Agricultural Extension has advised to keep paddy collection in a safe and dry place. It is also recommended to collect mature vegetables quickly, keep drainage ditches clean, raise land isles, refrain from irrigation, fertilizers and pesticides, and raise ponds around ponds.

Meanwhile, amid fears of flood situation in the haor, the Minister of Agriculture is going to visit the dam and paddy field in Chapati Haor of Dirai upazila of Sunamganj today. Md. Abdur Razzak. He is to cut paddy-18 without prior varieties in Javar Haor of Sadar upazila and exchange views with farmers.