Twelve out of 57 water regulators in Sunamganj's haor region have become completely inoperative, disrupting the drainage system crucial for boro crops, freshwater fish and aquatic biodiversity. Although 36 regulators remain functional, the dysfunctional ones require urgent repairs, according to local farmers and officials. Constructed by the Water Development Board (WDB), the regulators—ranging from one to six vents—play a vital role in managing water levels in the haor. Year's of alleged neglect have left a dozen regulators unable to drain water, raising concerns among farmers about potential crop damage from flash floods. Farmers have also expressed concerns about the lack of proper drainage affecting fish movement during the monsoon. Regulator Conditions by Division According to WDB sources, Division-1 oversees 33 regulators, of which nine are completely inoperative. While 23 remain operational, most require maintenance to function effectively. The inoperative regulators include Bagiani-1 and Ahammakkhali sluice gates in Tahirpur, the pipe sluice gates in Bishwambharpur and Krishtola, as well as the Rainga, Buridanga, Dalia, Beheli, and Dhankunia regulators. India did not notify in advance before opening sluice gates: Adviser Rizwana Similarly, Division-2 manages 24 regulators, three of which are entirely out of order, while six others are on the verge of malfunctioning. Of the 13 functional regulators, six require urgent repairs. Three regulators in Nalua Haor have remained inoperative for years, causing significant problems for local farmers. Wider Issue with Water Management The issue is not limited to WDB-constructed regulators. Many regulators built by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) are also non-functional, offering little benefit to farmers. Despite repeated complaints, no significant repair initiatives have been taken. Farmers in haor areas face severe water drainage problems, particularly during excessive rainfall and waterlogging, as the embankments surrounding the haors prevent natural water flow. 300,000 hectares of cropland made bare by unplanned Beanibazar sluice gate "Our haor is one of the largest Boro-producing areas in the district, yet three major regulators have been non-functional for years. This has led to drainage problems and increased the risk of crop loss from flash floods," said Abdul Majid, a farmer from Nalua Haor. He urged the authorities to expedite repair and reconstruction efforts. Call for Upgrades Professor Chittaranjan Talukdar, vice-president of the Haor Bachao Andolon, stressed the importance of upgrading and widening the regulators to facilitate boat movement. "Sluice gates are one of the oldest and most effective water management tools. If these are not upgraded, people break embankments near the regulators to create boat passages, rendering the regulators ineffective," he warned. Sunamganj WDB Executive Engineer Mamun Hawlader said a new project has been initiated to construct multi-part regulators and undertake necessary repairs. "The work has already begun. Once completed, the water drainage problem will be significantly reduced," he added. Significance of the Haor Region Situated in the northeastern part of Bangladesh, the Haor Basin is a geological depression covering 860,000 hectares and home to over 20 million people. Ballooning number of crop protection dams in Sunamganj haor region raises concern The region remains one of the most poverty-stricken in the country, with a significant portion of its population classified as ultra-poor. The Haor region contributes approximately 16.5% of Bangladesh's total rice production.

Boro crops on 500 acres land of haor areas in Khalijuri upazila of Netrakona district went under water due to the onrush of hill water. If the situation continues for one week more, 21,000 hectares of crops land will be submerged, said local people. Read: Untimely rain damages crops in Faridpur Already 1013 hectares of land have been damaged by the hill water from March 30 to April 2, according to the upazila agriculture officials. Monir Hossain, a farmer of Khaliajuri sadar upazila headquarters said the hill water entered into the low lands of Kirtankhola haor, Chinai Haor, Badiarchar Haor, Taktarer Haor, Manijan Haor, Lebria Haor, Hemnagar Haor, Gangabando Haor, Nayakhal Haor, Bagani Haor, and Dakatikhal Haor, damaging boro crops. Twenty acres of boro crops have been damaged by the onrush of hill water, he said. This year, a total of 21,120 hectares of land have been brought under boro cultivation. The farmers also feared damage if the situation continues. ML Soikat, Executive engineer of Netrakona Water Development Board, said the resource of the hill water is Cherapunji in India and the water enters through Dhanu River after crossing Jadukata and Surma rivers in Sunamganj district. The water level of Dhanu River increased six feet while in the past three hours it has increased by three feet more. Read: Incessant showers damage lentil, wheat & mustard crops in Narail Netrakona Deputy Commisioner Kazi Mohamamd Abdur Rahman, said every year, the local administration has built an embankment for protecting floods and on line with that, the dam was constructed maintaining a fixed height. We are taking preparation to make a list of the affected farmers for providing necessary assistance from the government, he said.