Continuous heavy rainfall and upstream flooding have caused widespread agricultural damage across the district, affecting nearly 50,000 farmers, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension.
An initial assessment as of May 4 shows that crops on approximately 11,174 hectares of land have been damaged, impacting 49,715 farmers in 13 upazilas, particularly in the district’s vulnerable haor regions.
Officials report that the worst-affected areas include Itna, where 3,261 hectares of land belonging to 11,500 families were submerged and Ashtagram, with 2,703 hectares damaged affecting 9,150 families.
Other significantly impacted upazilas include Tarail, 1,224 hectares, Nikli, 923 hectares, Karimganj, 830 hectares, Mithamain, 690 hectares, Katiadi, 585 hectares, sadar, 275 hectares, Bhairab, 211 hectares, Bajitpur, 162 hectares, Kuliarchar, 65 hectares, and Hossainpur, 47 hectares.
Local residents attribute the prolonged waterlogging to unplanned dam construction, silted drainage channels and non-functional sluice gates, which have prevented rainwater from receding. As a result, large areas of boro paddy fields remained submerged without significant river flooding.
Farmers say that although seasonal water influx is common in haor areas, this year’s persistent waterlogging has severely disrupted harvesting.
Many were unable to harvest crops on time due to a shortage of diesel and agricultural labour. While labourers from other districts typically assist during harvest season, increased reliance on mechanised harvesters and flooded fields limited their effectiveness this year.
Agricultural experts warn that delayed water recession is also hindering the preparation of seedbeds and subsequent planting, raising concerns about future crop production in the region.
Sadiqur Rahman, deputy director of DAE, said that the current figures were based on data collected up to May 4.
He added that an additional 1,500 hectares of boro paddy had since been submerged. ‘Efforts are ongoing to compile a comprehensive list of affected farmers.’
