In the ongoing floods, approximately 145,954 hectares of farmland have been damaged in the Chattogram agricultural region, which includes the districts of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Feni, Noakhali, and Lakshmipur. Nearly all crops in Feni have been submerged. This was revealed in a report by the Chattogram DAE on crop damage in the region, issued on Thursday (August 22).

Agriculture officials expressed that, this region typically has lower cultivation rates compared to other parts of the country. However, after the loss once in the current Aus season, the damage at the beginning of the Aman season may have a major impact on rice production in the region.

Mohammed Nasir Uddin, the Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Chattogram, told Bonik Barta, “Widespread crop damage has occurred due to waterlogging in the Chattogram agricultural region. So far, crops on about 150,000 hectares have been affected. The situation is so dire that communication across the area has become difficult. And with continued rainfall, the extent of damage may increase. We will submit a final report once the water recedes. But for now, we are closely monitoring the situation over the coming days.”

According to data from the Chattogram DAE, as of 6 pm on August 22, preliminary assessments indicate that 145,954 hectares of farmland in the five districts of the region have been damaged during August 16-22 period. This includes 10,679 hectares of Aman seedbeds, 102,360 hectares of Aman rice, 520 hectares of Boba Aman rice, 22,175 hectares of Aus rice, 6,914 hectares of vegetables, 2,722 hectares of fruit orchards, and 548 hectares of crops such as ginger, turmeric, betel leaf, and sugarcane.

District-wise statistics reveal that in Chattogram, 37,377 hectares of crops have been damaged so far, including 26,642 hectares of Aman rice. Additionally, 1,922 hectares of vegetables and various other crops have been damaged. In Cox’s Bazar, the loss extends to 11,134 hectares of farmland, with Aman rice accounting for 10,525 hectares, alongside 121 hectares of Aman seedbeds, 201 hectares of Aus rice, 244 hectares of vegetables, and 43 hectares of betel leaf. Noakhali district has seen the most extensive damage, with 43,349 hectares of crops affected. This includes 26,900 hectares of Aman rice, 4,686 hectares of seedbeds, 5,377 hectares of Aus rice, 3,632 hectares of vegetables, and 2,432 hectares of fruit orchards, among other crops. The district of Feni has been the hardest hit by the floods, with 41,476 hectares of farmland damaged out of 41,489 hectares cultivated. This includes 32,484 hectares of Aman rice, 2,073 hectares of Aman seedbeds, 6,050 hectares of Aus rice, 525 hectares of autumn vegetables, 230 hectares of fruit orchards, and various other crops. In Lakshmipur, 12,686 hectares of crops have been damaged out of a total of 36,800 hectares cultivated.

Dr. Mira Rani Das, Deputy Director of the Noakhali DAE, commented to Bonik Barta, “In many areas of Noakhali, Aman crops have been severely affected. The damage was compounded by waterlogging earlier in the season. Once the water recedes, we will attempt to plant late-season rice seedlings and have planned for replanting from the available seedbeds.”