Every year farmers suffer losses from one disaster or another. They struggle, recover and stand up again. But this year's flood losses are different. Farmers in Sylhet and Sunamganj had little knowledge of such a powerful flood and had never seen such water pressure before.

At the start of the Boro season, early floods in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona and other haor areas destroyed crops on about 12,000 hectares. Before farmers could recover, hill torrents from India flooded the area again. The flood was so severe that many had to seek safety leaving granaries full of rice and cattle in their sheds.

Farmers face losses almost every year because the environment and climate keep changing, so none of their calculations or forecasts hold. This is where more preparation is needed, finding ways to protect against floods and other disasters with every climate risk in mind. The hundred-year Delta Plan could offer hope and a way out for affected farming communities.

Source: Shykh Seraj, Hridoye Mati O Manush. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.