Continuous rain and water from upstream have submerged more than 1,000 further hectares of boro paddy in Kishoreganj, bringing the total affected area in the district to 10,050 hectares. About 36,000 farmers in the district have been left in deep uncertainty.

Dr Sadikur Rahman, deputy director of the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), confirmed the figures on the afternoon of 3 May.

The heaviest damage is in Itna and Austagram upazilas, where continued rain and flash floods from the hills have flooded wide low-lying areas of the haors. Many farmers cannot cut their ripe paddy because it is under water. With no sunshine all day, paddy kept on the drying yards (khola) cannot be dried, raising the risk of sprouting and rot. Vegetable fields in different parts of the district are also at risk of damage.

The Nikli weather office said 37.2 millimetres of rain was recorded in the district in the previous 24 hours.

According to the district Water Development Board (BWDB), the Dhanu-Baulai river at the Itna point rose to 3.6 metres, 5 centimetres higher than the previous day. The Meghna at Chamraghat stood at 2.73 metres, up 10 centimetres, and the Kalni at Austagram at 2.45 metres, up 15 centimetres. At the Bhairab Bazar point, the Meghna fell slightly to 1.80 metres.

The BWDB said all rivers are still flowing below the danger level, but water could rise further if rain and upstream flows continue.

Local farmers said they are in deep uncertainty because paddy on a large area of land has already gone under water, and many are suffering losses because they cannot dry the paddy on the khola without sunshine.

Md Sajjad Hossain, executive engineer of the district Water Development Board, said the situation is being monitored around the clock. The local administration and farmers have been asked to stay alert to possible risks, and farmers have also been advised to harvest quickly.

Dr Sadikur Rahman said field officials are preparing lists of affected farmers on the instructions of the agriculture ministry. He expressed hope that the risk of major damage may ease somewhat if the rainfall does not increase.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.