The current wave of heavy rain and flash floods has ravaged vast tracts of cropland across haor areas of Sunamganj, Sylhet, Netrakona and Kishoreganj. Thousands of farmers, mostly smallholders, fear huge financial losses, as heavy rain and onrush of water from upstream have gulped their ripe paddy just before harvest. Though it is too early for a full assessment of the damage to crops, initial reports suggest farmers' losses stand by now at billions of taka. As per government estimates, 7,000 hectares of cropland have been inundated, while farmers claim that nearly half of their crops have been destroyed. With pre-monsoon torrential rains continuing, more agricultural land is likely to be swallowed by the floods in the coming days. Climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of flash floods, making the subsequent crop losses a recurring annual phenomenon. So, the question is, why does preparedness remain so inadequate in the face of a disaster that is both seasonal and predictable?
The agricultural losses will weigh heavily on both the economy and the people. The haor regions account for around one-fifth of the country's annual rice production, while nearly 60 per cent of total output comes from the Boro season. For farmers in these areas, Boro cultivation is the principal source of income. When crops are washed away just before harvest, the impact extends far beyond immediate crop loss. It jeopardises the food security of the farming families in haor regions for the entire year, undermines their ability to repay loans and fuels food inflation. The rice price hike followed by crop devastation during the floods of 2017 and 2022 offers a disquieting reminder of the broader economic and social consequences. More people are likely to slip below the poverty line, while the increase in prices of essential foods will disproportionately affect low-income people.
Regrettably, in the face of increasingly erratic climatic condition, national preparedness remains inadequate. Farmers are either not informed about weather forecasts or are unable to harvest their crops in time due to labour shortages and rising costs. Combined harvesters are crucial for reaping crops across the vast haor areas within a narrow window. But the recent hike in diesel prices made their operation expensive. Moreover, poor field conditions often prevent their effective use. Against this backdrop, the responsibility of local authorities cannot end with issuing warnings and urging farmers to act swiftly. A more proactive approach is needed to ensure availability and affordability of combined harvesters, along with mobilisation of labour before impending floods. Meanwhile, there are numerous allegations regarding the construction and timely repair of embankments. Although the government allocates substantial funds each year for haor protection, substandard earthwork, mismanagement of resources and syndicate influence remain persistent concerns. At a recent gathering in Sunamganj, farmers put forward 10-point demands, including compensation for flood-affected farmers, loan waivers and a judicial probe into irregularities. The authorities must address these issues with sincerity and urgency.
The government has already promised three months' aid for affected farmers, which is welcome. However, their other demands also warrant consideration. In the longer term, priority should be given to building climate-resilient infrastructure, strengthening early warning systems and developing robust agricultural resilient mechanisms, including crop insurance. Without such sustained and coordinated efforts, each new flood will continue to destroy crops, devastate livelihoods and pose a growing threat to national food security.
