Continuous rain and flash floods from upstream have caused extensive crop damage in the haor areas and across all 13 upazilas of Kishoreganj district. So far, paddy on about 13,122 hectares in the district is under water, affecting about 50,000 farmers. According to the agriculture department, the losses amount to about Tk 259 crore.

The district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) released the figures on Wednesday afternoon (6 May).

According to the agriculture department, the haors have been hit hardest. In Itna upazila, 3,261 hectares belonging to 11,050 families were submerged, causing losses of about Tk 75.58 crore. In Austagram, losses on 2,703 hectares belonging to 9,150 families were about Tk 62.44 crore. Losses were Tk 28.36 crore on 1,224 hectares in Tarail, Tk 21.39 crore on 923 hectares in Nikli and about Tk 19.23 crore on 830 hectares in Karimganj.

Losses were also Tk 15.99 crore on 690 hectares in Mithamain, Tk 13.55 crore on 585 hectares in Katiadi, Tk 6.37 crore on 275 hectares in Sadar upazila, Tk 4.88 crore on 211 hectares in Bhairab and Tk 3.75 crore on 162 hectares in Bajitpur. Crop losses were about Tk 15.65 lakh on 65 hectares in Kuliarchar and about Tk 3.10 crore on 47 hectares in Hossainpur.

Local people, however, say the real losses are several times the official figure. Many farmers complain that the initial survey did not capture all the damage.

According to locals, unplanned embankments in the haors, drainage channels blocked by silt and most sluice gates being out of order meant rainwater could not drain away. This caused waterlogging even without a flood, submerging boro paddy on thousands of hectares.

Farmers said that although water entered the haors at the normal time this year, rainwater caused prolonged waterlogging. At the same time, a diesel shortage and a lack of workers meant many farmers could not harvest in time. In other years workers came from various districts, but this time fewer came because of growing reliance on harvesters, and with water standing in the fields, harvesters could not be used in many places either.

Meanwhile, the late draining of water from the haors has delayed seedbed preparation and transplanting, which those in the farm sector fear could affect future production.

Dr Sadiqur Rahman, deputy director of the district DAE, said the figures are based on information received up to 4 May. Since then, about 1,500 more hectares of boro paddy have been newly submerged. Work on listing the affected farmers is continuing.

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