To protect coastal areas from storm surges and tidal waters, weirs are constructed at the entrances of canals connecting rivers under the Water Development Board (Paubo). Its purpose was to control abnormal water flow. However, the farmers complain that there is no water in the canals due to these water shortages. Agricultural production is hampered by lack of irrigation water.

Local people say that the amount of water that enters through the cistern during the tide, does not enter during the low tide. Because of this, the canals are getting filled with silt. Meanwhile, agriculture is under threat due to not getting enough water in time for cultivation.

Sources from the Paubo Barguna office said that the flood control dam was built in the 1960s to protect the southern coastal area from storm surges. 750 cisterns have been constructed in Barguna at various times at the junction of the branch canals of the district. Apart from this, the construction of 28 new water tanks is underway.

It can be seen on the surface, there are two water closets at both ends of the eight kilometer long connecting canal from Kumrakhali to Badarkhali area of Barguna Sadar Upazila Badarkhali Union. At present the canal is disappearing due to siltation. The situation is the same with the Lakurtala Canal in Gaurichanna Union. Local people said that people used to travel in trawlers through this canal. When a sluice gate is constructed at the junction of the canal, the canal is filled. This has caused a shortage of water for agriculture in the area.

Sadar Upazila Gulishakhali village farmer Nazrul Islam said that the canal was connected with Bishkhali river. All kinds of crops were grown in the area then. After the construction of the sluice gate at the entrance of the canal, there was a water crisis in the area. At present the canal is full. They demanded to cut the water table, then farmers like him will survive.

Lakurtala area farmer Khalilur Rahman said that hundreds of trawlers used to travel through this canal every day. Now due to filling up of the canals, farmers in Boro, Aman, etc. are not getting enough water during rabi crop cultivation. As a result, crops are not being produced as expected.

There is also a large reservoir in Pachakodalia area of Taltali upazila. As a result of that dam, the water rising in the canal is not able to come out. In this, the silt that comes up with the tidal water is filling up the canal.

Deputy Director of District Agriculture Extension Department Abu Syed. Jobaidul Alam said, if the irrigation system is not effective, the biggest impact will be on agriculture. Farmers are affected by salt water and waterlogging. Sufficient water is not available during cultivation due to silt accumulation due to unplanned water harvesting in the area and filling up of canals. Due to this, agriculture is being disrupted.

Executive Engineer of Barguna Paubo. Rakib said that the project will be sent to the ministry for digging the canals which are filled.