Farmers across southern Bangladesh are facing growing anxiety as moderate rains and storms threaten to devastate ripening Boro paddy crops. Although early signs pointed to a bountiful harvest, recent weather patterns have cast significant uncertainty over final yields. Continuous rainfall and mounting upstream water pressure have caused widespread waterlogging in coastal lowlands, submerging mature fields and leaving farming communities in distress.
The Department of Agricultural Extension reports that approximately 3,307 hectares of land have been submerged so far. The most severely affected areas include Daulatpur, Labanchara, Dakop, Paikgacha, and Dumuria, along with all upazilas within the Bagerhat district. Rafiqul Islam, the additional director of the Khulna Agricultural Zone, confirmed that heavy rain has impacted most districts in the region, with the exceptions of Satkhira and Narail.
The flooding has created a dual crisis for the agricultural sector. While standing crops are being submerged, farmers who have already completed their harvest are struggling to dry their grain due to a persistent lack of sunlight. Large quantities of produce have begun to rot, and in several instances, seedlings have started sprouting from mature grains. These conditions have sparked fears of substantial economic losses for those dependent on the harvest.
According to official data from 3 May, a total of 303,591 hectares were cultivated with various crops this season, including 266,993 hectares dedicated specifically to Boro paddy. While crops have been successfully cleared from 147,652 hectares, the remaining submerged land remains at high risk. Rafiqul Islam warned that prolonged waterlogging could further aggravate the situation and urged farmers to expedite the harvesting process where possible to minimise damage.
The local meteorological office has issued further warnings for rainfall and gusty winds in the coming days, though temperatures are expected to remain stable. In many fields, paddy plants have already collapsed under the weight of the rain. Agricultural authorities continue to advise vigilance as the region braces for more unstable weather that could jeopardise the remaining seasonal produce.
