Rising Waters and Sinking Livelihoods: A Tale of Sunamganj’s Wetlands
The wetland areas of Sunamganj, located in northeastern Bangladesh, form a unique and highly vulnerable ecosystem. Known as the Haor region, it is defined by two distinct seasons—the dry season and the wet season. These two seasons are central to the lives and livelihoods of the local communities. However, the onset of climate change has made both seasons more extreme, significantly affecting the balance of this region. This tale explores the impacts of these changes on various aspects of life in Sunamganj.
Overview of Sunamganj’s Wetland
The wetlands of Bangladesh, especially in the haor regions like Sunamganj, have unique geological and hydrological features that have formed over thousands of years. These wetlands are located in low-lying areas between rivers and floodplains in the northeastern of the country. The land is mainly made of alluvial soil (silt, clay, and sand) brought down by rivers flowing from the Himalayan mountains and nearby uplands. Every year during the monsoon season, large areas of the wetlands are flooded, creating shallow water bodies like basin. However, these areas also suffer from siltation, where floodwaters deposit fine particles that gradually raise the land and fill in water bodies. This constant change supports rich biodiversity but creates challenges for agriculture, settlements, and infrastructure.
Flash floods in areas like Sunamganj happen when heavy rainfall during the monsoon season causes rivers and streams to rise quickly. These floods often start in the upstream hills of Meghalaya in India, where rainwater flows down steep slopes into the low-lying haor areas. Rivers like the Surma and Kushiyara overflow, flooding large parts of the wetlands. The problem is made worse by poor drainage and siltation, which reduces the capacity of rivers and canals to hold water, increasing the risk of flooding.
Climatic Events
The impacts of climate change during the dry season are increasingly evident. Rising temperatures have led to evaporation rates that are much higher than in the past, creating atmospheric river accelerating the drying of wetlands. As a result, the fertile lands that emerge during the dry season are not as productive as they once were, leading to soil degradation. Farmers are forced to rely on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which, in turn, harm the ecological balance of the region. Moreover, the unpredictability of seasonal transitions has left farmers vulnerable. Traditionally, the dry season has been predictable, allowing for careful planning of planting and harvesting. However, the delayed onset of rains or unseasonal rainfall, influenced by climate change, disrupts the agricultural calendar, causing significant financial losses.
Climate change has had a profound impact on the wet season. The intensity of the monsoons has increased, leading to heavier rainfall over shorter periods. This has caused flash floods, which not only destroy crops but also erode the land, contributing to soil degradation. The loss of vegetation due to extreme flooding further aggravates this issue, leaving the land less fertile for the following dry season.
The climate in Sunamganj has been changing rapidly, with increasing temperatures and irregular rainfall patterns. In 2024, residents of the Derail subdistrict experienced temperatures as high as 42°C. Flooding, heatwaves, and thunderstorms are becoming more frequent, with major floods recorded in 2017, 2020, and 2022. The irregularity of rainfall and the increasing frequency of floods have made it difficult for farmers to plan their planting and harvesting cycles. the dry season is not without its challenges.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
The lack of clean water, poor sanitation infrastructure, and insufficient hygiene facilities have created a vulnerable environment where waterborne diseases are common, and maintaining basic hygiene is a daily struggle.
During the dry season, access to drinking water is severely limited. The water table drops significantly, making it difficult for villagers to access clean water even by installing tube wells as deep as 600-700 feet. There is no adequate aquifer to meet the growing demands for potable water. The scarcity of water not only affects drinking needs but also sanitation. Villagers rely on basic latrines, which are poorly maintained due to the lack of water for cleaning and hygiene. Washing hands after using the toilet or maintaining proper cleanliness becomes nearly impossible without sufficient water. This situation puts the entire community, especially children and the elderly, at risk of diseases caused by poor hygiene practices. Additionally, using contaminated sources of water for drinking and cooking increases the likelihood of waterborne diseases. The limited availability of water not only exacerbates health issues but also increases the community’s reliance on unsafe water sources, further compounding the WASH crisis.
The wet season is difficult WASH conditions in Sunamganj. As water levels rise and large portions of land are submerged, villagers shift to using hanging latrines, which are often constructed close to their homes. These latrines are extremely unhygienic, as the waste from them flows directly into the surrounding water, leading to the contamination of water sources. This contaminated water is used for essential activities like cooking, washing clothes, bathing, and even drinking, creating a breeding ground for waterborne diseases. Diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and skin infections become widespread during the wet season, as fecal matter mixes with water sources. The scarcity of clean water and the unsanitary living conditions make it almost impossible for the community to prevent these diseases.
Agriculture
The dry season, typically lasting from November to April, transforms the flooded wetlands into vast stretches of fertile land. During this time, the haor basin dries up, exposing land that is used for agricultural activities, primarily the cultivation of Boro rice. In dry season As water levels in wells, ponds, and canals drop, farmers struggle to irrigate their fields. This has led to reduced crop yields, and in some cases even crop failure. In addition to agriculture, some people continue fishing in the small remaining water bodies, though the yield is considerably lower than during the wet season. Farmers also cultivate vegetables, but the low-lying land is more suitable for rice than vegetables. The cost of growing vegetables is high due to the need for raised beds and irrigation.
Agriculture in the haor region is primarily focused on rice cultivation. Jonokraj, a high-yield rice variety, is the most widely planted crop, producing about 1,000 kg of paddy per acre. BARI 28, a rice variety once popular in the region, is no longer grown due to its vulnerability to BLAST disease. Farmers must deal to plant short-duration rice varieties to minimize crop loss. However, children often miss school during the paddy harvesting season as they are required to help their parents in the fields.
Livestock
The lack of dry land in wetland areas not only reduces space for essential activities but also makes it difficult to manage livestock like hens, ducks, goats, and cows, which are vital for household income and nutrition. These animals provide food and income, but during the wet season, flooding limits grazing space, and waterlogging causes health issues. Preparing silage from grass can help feed cattle when land is flooded. Additionally, building a fish processing center would boost income by allowing locals to sell processed fish at higher prices. Improving livestock care and feeding during the wet season is crucial to keeping animals healthy and productive.
Livelihoods
During the dry season in Sunamganj, agriculture becomes the main livelihood as waters expose fertile land. Farmers focus on growing Boro rice, their primary crop, while some also cultivate vegetables on higher ground. Although the water bodies are allocated to various fisheries groups, the benefits ultimately go to different politically influential groups. Fishing opportunities decline, so fishers often turn to fish drying and preservation for income. The dry season is also a time for repairing homes and building protection walls against future floods, although the high costs drive some villagers to migrate to cities for work.
From May to October, the wet season, driven by the annual monsoon, floods the haor region, turning it into a vast spread of water. During this time, fishing becomes the main livelihood for most households. Fish is not only a staple food but also a significant source of income, with many families selling their catch in local markets or drying it for future use. Additionally, the wet season plays a vital role in replenishing the wetlands, enhancing soil fertility for the next agricultural cycle.
Protection Walls
Villagers in the wetland areas of Bangladesh typically build protection walls using bamboo, soil bags, and branches of trees to safeguard their homes from floods and erosion. These barriers, while are not affordable and not easy to construct, are not durable and often require yearly rebuilding as the materials degrade or are washed away by water. In addition to community efforts, various government projects and funding agencies have stepped in to build more sustainable, high-cost protection walls, designed to protect public infrastructure and save lives.
Traditionally, Koroch plants were widely used for land protection due to their strong roots and branches that help prevent erosion. However, these plants are not newly growing as younger trees struggle to survive in the increasingly waterlogged environment caused by the changing climate. Only the older, more established trees continue to thrive.
Some residents believe that the construction of the submerged Mithamoin road has further contributed to the problem of waterlogging, as it blocks the natural runoff of water to the sea, leading to more severe and prolonged flooding in certain areas. This has sparked local debate about the unintended consequences of infrastructure projects.
Electricity and Communication
Frequent load shedding during the wet season significantly disrupts mobile communication and essential daily activities in the wetland areas. With unreliable electricity, villagers are forced to pay 30-50 taka to charge their phones at local shops, adding a financial burden to already limited resources. The installation of solar home systems could offer a sustainable solution by providing reliable electricity during loads adding, allowing villagers to charge their phones at home and reducing dependency on external sources. Moreover, solar systems could create opportunities for village women to generate additional income by offering charging services or other small-scale enterprises, contributing to their economic empowerment. Additionally, with solar-powered lights, children would be able to continue their studies after dark, improving their educational outcomes despite the challenges of frequent power cuts. These systems would bring long-term benefits to the community by improving both livelihoods and access to education.
Impact on Children
Children in the wetland areas face severe challenges, particularly during the wet season. As most of the land becomes submerged under water, children lose spaces to play. Most of them end up playing in contaminated water, exposing them to waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and skin infections. In addition, the risk of drowning is high, with a significant number of children losing their lives each year. In dry season they can play, but to poverty a significant involves in child labor including harvesting the crops and cattle rearing. This constant danger and exposure to unsanitary conditions not only affect their physical health but also lead to mental health issues, creating obstacles to the development of a healthy future generation.
Health Challenges
Medical treatment during the wet season in Sunamganj’s faces numerous challenges. Access to healthcare becomes even more difficult due to the absence of water ambulances, which puts pregnant women in particular at great risk, as they often struggle to reach healthcare facilities in time for safe delivery.
The prevalence of quack doctors, lack formal medical training, lack of trained healthcare professionals, leading to poor maternal care and contributing to high rates of abnormal childbirths and maternal deaths. The birth rate of disabilities is increasing due to malnutrition or nutritional deficiencies. The ongoing practice of child marriage, combined with large age gaps between husbands and wives, exacerbates these health risks, resulting in a high widow rate as older men pass away earlier, leaving young wives behind. The medical infrastructure in the region urgently needs strengthening to address these complex challenges.
The price of fruits is quite high and availability is limited, as most of the land is submerged during the wet season. Only a small amount of mango, malta, litchi, guava, and plum are grown in the region. This limits access to essential vitamins and nutrients, impacting the overall health and nutrition of the community.
Community Engagement
The wet season also disrupts community engagement. Villagers typically meet through community-based groups to discuss and resolve local issues, but the widespread flooding deprived of little space for such gatherings. The communication between HATI’s being difficult. This isolation hampers their ability to solve problems collectively and strains social relationships. The lack of communication and interaction during these critical months weakens the community’s social bonding.
Biodiversity
The biodiversity of Sunamganj’s wetlands has been in decline for years. The region once riches with native fish and bird species, but this has changed drastically. The application of chemical fertilizers and the lack of proper dredging of canals and ponds have led to the loss of habitat for fish. The use of current nets in fishing further reduces fish populations by catching immature fish. The siltation of ponds and canals has reduced their water-holding capacity, further damaging fish habitats.
Early Warning Systems
The early warning systems in the wetland areas of Bangladesh, particularly in regions like Sunamganj, are crucial for mitigating the risks associated with frequent natural disasters such as flash floods, and cyclones. However, these systems are currently underdeveloped and lack the efficiency needed to effectively disseminate critical information to vulnerable communities. Although the Water Development Board has installed water level gauges in major rivers like Manu, Jadukata, Surma, and Kusiyara, the process of transmitting early warnings to the public remains slow and unreliable. Also, local govt. is tried to disseminate the messages to farmers so that they can save their crops and assets. The lack of community-based alert mechanisms and modern technology integration has further weakened the system, leaving many at risk of property damage, crop loss, and even loss of life. Enhancing early warning systems through real-time data sharing, mobile alerts, and community preparedness programs could significantly reduce the impact of these natural hazards and save lives in the wetland regions.
Unemployment and Migration
The mechanization of rice harvesting has drastically reduced the demand for manual labor in Sunamganj’s wetland areas, resulting in rising unemployment among local laborers. This shift has led many villagers to migrate to urban centers such as Dhaka and Gazipur, where they seek employment in garments or workshops to support their families. The financial burden of maintaining flood protection, which costs around 30,000 taka per year for materials like bamboo and soil bags, further pushes families toward migration. Unable to afford these recurring expenses, many households are left with no choice but to leave their homes in search of more stable income opportunities elsewhere. This migration trend disrupts the local economy and social bonding, leaving the wetland communities increasingly vulnerable.
Pathways for the Future
To address the multiple challenges faced by the wetland communities of Sunamganj, several interventions are needed:
- Sustainable Protection Walls: To safeguard homes from frequent flush flooding, constructing strong, durable protection walls is essential. These structures will provide long-term resilience against erosion and flooding, protecting both private properties and public infrastructure from water damage.
- Re-excavation of Rivers and Canals: Villagers recommend re-excavating silted rivers and canals to restore their water-holding capacity. This process would not only mitigate the risk of floods but also improve water access for irrigation during the dry season, helping farmers maintain productivity throughout the year.
- Alternative Income Generation: By providing training in handicrafts, hand-stitching, and other small-scale industries, villagers can develop alternative income streams during the wet season when agriculture is less viable.
- Short-Duration and Flood-Tolerant Crops: Introducing short-duration rice varieties and flood-tolerant crops would help farmers reduce the risk of crop loss due to sudden flooding. These crops can be harvested quickly, ensuring food security and sustained income for farmers in flood-prone areas.
- Flood-Resilient Housing and Public Shelters: Developing flood-resilient housing, public shelters, and lightning protection systems will protect the community from climatic hazards, including floods and storms. Multilayer low-cost housing model, similar to those in Hatirjheel and Gulshan slum, could be considered to accommodate a larger population in a smaller area. This approach would provide housing for many people efficiently and make better use of limited land. These facilities would provide safety during extreme weather events, ensuring the community’s ability to cope with climate-related disasters. Establishing floating schools and clinics would ensure uninterrupted education and healthcare during the monsoon, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.
- Irrigation: Irrigation project could consider pumping water from the Surma River and delivering it to various canals through an underground piping system.
- Awareness: Awareness is needed in the wetland areas about clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene to prevent diseases. People also need to learn about climate change and how to prepare for floods and storms. Teaching sustainable farming and protecting nature is important to save the environment and local jobs. It’s essential to improve health and nutrition, especially for mothers and children. Training in new skills like fish farming and handicrafts can help people earn more money. Finally, learning about waste management and education will make the community stronger and more independent.
The wetland areas of Sunamganj are facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change, including worsening flush floods, extreme weather, and declining biodiversity. Without urgent intervention and adaptation strategies, the livelihoods, health, and well-being of the community are at risk. By focusing on sustainable infrastructure, alternative income sources, and climate-resilient agriculture, it is possible to safeguard the future of these vulnerable communities. The people of Sunamganj are strong, but they need help to adjust to the quickly changing environment.
