Agartala, 17th June 2026: A severe waterlogging crisis has engulfed vast stretches of agricultural land in the South Manikbhandar area under Kamalpur subdivision, leaving hundreds of farmers in distress and disrupting cultivation activities across the region.
According to local sources, several hundred acres of farmland—on which the region’s agriculture-based economy depends—have remained submerged for a prolonged period. As a result, farming has been severely affected, leading to significant financial losses for numerous farming households.
Residents allege that multiple water pumps installed under the Jal Jeevan Mission project are continuously discharging large volumes of water into surrounding agricultural fields. They further claim that the flow of water from these pumps is not being properly regulated or shut off when necessary.
Compounding the issue, no proper drainage system has been developed to channel excess water away from the fields. Over time, this has resulted in chronic water accumulation across the area, effectively turning large tracts of farmland into waterlogged zones.
The situation has worsened with the onset of the monsoon season. Rainwater combined with discharge from the pumps has intensified flooding conditions, leaving many fields unsuitable for cultivating paddy and other seasonal crops. Farmers report declining soil fertility, reduced agricultural output, and growing disinterest in farming due to persistent losses.
Local residents also claim that repeated written complaints have been submitted to the Kamalpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate, the District Magistrate of Dhalai, and other concerned administrative authorities. However, they allege that no permanent solution or effective intervention has yet been implemented despite multiple rounds of communication.
Elderly villagers expressed concern that while the Jal Jeevan Mission was launched to ensure safe drinking water, poor planning and lack of infrastructure have turned parts of the project into a burden for local farmers.
Residents are now demanding urgent action, including the construction of proper drainage channels, better regulation of pump water discharge, and overall infrastructure improvement in the affected area. They warn that without immediate intervention, the situation could deteriorate further in the coming months.
For now, farmers and residents of South Manikbhandar continue to wait anxiously, hoping for swift administrative action and a lasting solution to the growing crisis.
