Farmers’ Dreams Submerged in Haor Flood

Continuous rainfall and upstream hillwater flow have have triggered a severe crisis in the haor region of Kishoreganj. So far, 10,035 hectares of Boro paddy fields have been submerged in water across the district. The most affected area is Itna upazila.

This damage report is based on data collected until Sunday evening, stressed the District Department of Agricultural Extension. Authorities hope that if rainfall does not increase further, a major disaster may still be partially avoided.

Continuous rainfall and pressure from upstream water in recent days have flooded vast low-lying areas of the district. Thousands of hectares of ripe and semi-ripe Boro rice fields have been submerged. Of these, around 3,000 hectares of paddy have been damaged in Itna alone. Significant losses have also been reported in Austagram upazila.

Farmers are in deep trouble as the flooding has occurred during the harvesting season. Many were unable to harvest their crops, while others who had already cut and stored paddy are also facing difficulties. Due to continuous rain and lack of sunlight, the harvested rice cannot be dried, leading to rotting, and in some places, even sprouting has begun.

Farmer Md. Ripon Khan from eastern Austagram said he was only able to harvest 2 acres out of his 10 acres of land, while the rest remains submerged. He also mentioned a shortage of laborers, with wages rising up to Tk 1,500 per worker. With the destruction of their only annual crop, farmers are now facing uncertainty about their livelihoods.

Meanwhile, the government has begun a Boro paddy procurement program in the district. The target for the current season is to collect 18,330 metric tons of paddy, which will continue until August 31.

Under the government-fixed rate, paddy will be purchased at Tk 36 per kg or Tk 1,440 per 40 kg unit. However, wet or low-quality paddy will not be accepted. Each farmer will be allowed to sell a maximum of 75 maunds, and transactions will be conducted through banking channels.

Kishoreganj Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md. Sazzad Hossain said that the situation is being continuously monitored and everyone has been advised to remain alert to manage potential risks. He also mentioned that farmers had earlier been advised to harvest their crops quickly.

District Agricultural Extension Department Deputy Director Dr. Sadikur Rahman said that so far 61% of paddy harvesting has been completed in the affected haor upazilas, while the rate is 49% across the entire district. Around 36,000 farmers have been affected, and lists are being prepared and sent to the ministry so that assistance can be provided quickly.