Heavy rainfall and onrushing mountain runoff from upstream have submerged vast tracts of Boro paddy in the haors (wetlands) of Sunamganj and Kishoreganj, leaving over 112,000 farmers in a state of despair. Preliminary estimates suggest a staggering financial loss of approximately 500 crore BDT across the two districts.
Sunamganj: 300 Crore Loss as 16,000 Hectares Submerge
In Sunamganj, the situation is critical. Around 16,000 hectares of paddy fields have been swallowed by rising waters, affecting more than 80,000 farmers. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) estimates that 75,000 metric tons of paddy, valued at nearly 300 crore BDT, have been destroyed.
The devastation has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the region. Farmers, many of whom took loans to cultivate their land, now face total financial ruin.
Labor and Machinery Crisis: Farmers are struggling to harvest whatever is left. High water levels have rendered combine harvesters useless, and a severe labor shortage has driven up wages.
Harsh Conditions: Laborers reported that harvesting in waist-deep, freezing water during thunderstorms is nearly impossible. "Our bodies go numb, and we can't even hold the scythe," said Abdul Khalek, a local worker.
Allegations of Negligence: Local residents have alleged that irregularities in the construction of crop protection embankments made them fragile, leading to breaches under the pressure of the upstream flow.
Kishoreganj: 200 Crore Loss as Water Levels Rise
The disaster has also struck Kishoreganj, where 9,045 hectares of Boro crops are currently underwater. The financial damage is estimated at 200 crore BDT, impacting 32,000 farmers.
The Itna and Ashtagram upazilas have been the hardest hit, with Itna alone losing 3,000 hectares in just two days.
District Agriculture Deputy Director Mohammad Sadikur Rahman confirmed that the administration is preparing a list of affected farmers to provide special government assistance for the next three months.
Grim Outlook
The Water Development Board warns that the situation may not improve soon. Due to heavy rainfall in Cherrapunji, India, the border rivers are overflowing, preventing stagnant water in the haors from draining into the rivers.
Weather Forecast: The Nikli Meteorological Office and local authorities have predicted continued rainfall and potential Nor'westers (Kalbaishakhi storms) over the next week. Farmers have been advised to harvest ripe paddy as quickly as possible, though the prevailing weather conditions make the task daunting and dangerous.
With 500 crore BDT worth of crops already lost, the "granary of the north-east" is currently echoing with the cries of farmers who see nothing but darkness ahead.
