Rainfall in late Chaitra has caused waterlogging across nearly 50 haors in Sunamganj. Raw paddy has already begun to rot in about 20 haors and beels, sparking fears that thousands of hectares of Boro crops could be destroyed. In the neighbouring district of Netrokona, at least 500 hectares of paddy land have gone underwater. While the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is yet to determine the total extent of the damage, the Bangladesh Water Development Board has forecast medium to heavy rainfall until April 10, further heightening the anxiety of haor farmers.
According to agricultural officials, Boro paddy was cultivated on 223,511 hectares of land in Sunamganj this season. Fields across the district are currently covered in raw paddy. However, 15 days of continuous rainfall have triggered waterlogging in low-lying areas. The situation in Tanguar Haor is particularly concerning; major portions of approximately 20 large and small haors and beels in Tahirpur and Madhyanagar upazilas are now underwater, causing the raw crops to rot.
Local farmers alleged that the Nazarkhali embankment in the Tahirpur section of Tanguar Haor collapsed as river levels rose due to persistent rain. As Tanguar Haor is a Ramsar site (a protected wetland of international importance), no government embankments are constructed there. While farmers usually repair the embankments at their own expense each year, it was not done this time. Consequently, farmers in 82 villages surrounding Tanguar Haor have been affected.
Raisul Huq, an affected farmer, stated that his eight bighas (1 Bigha = 33 Decimal) of land are completely submerged, leaving no hope for a harvest. Another farmer, Babul Mia, said, “Water entered the haor just as the stalks were appearing, causing the paddy to rot. If the rain continues, farmers will be ruined.”
Mohammad Omar Faruk, deputy director of the Sunamganj DAE, reported that 1,189 hectares of Boro land across various haors have been affected by water. While the exact financial loss is still being assessed, some farmers are attempting to drain the water on their own initiative, alongside ongoing government efforts in certain areas.
Meanwhile, a clash broke out among residents of four villages over the cutting of an embankment to relieve waterlogging in Dakua Haor, Sunamganj. Several people were injured in the incident, prompting the local administration to impose Section 144 to maintain order.
In Netrokona, heavy rains have also severely damaged Boro crops. Vast stretches of land, where the paddy was just beginning to turn golden, were suddenly submerged. Local farmers blamed unplanned embankment construction for obstructing natural drainage, which they say exacerbated the damage.
According to DAE sources, Boro paddy was cultivated on 41,065 hectares in Netrokona’s haor areas this season, out of a total district cultivation of 185,548 hectares. Recent rains have submerged at least 505 hectares, following a hailstorm in mid-March that damaged another 323 hectares. However, local farmers claim the actual extent of the damage is several times higher than official estimates.
Hundreds of hectares of half-ripe paddy are submerged in Kalmakanda, Mohongonj, Madan, Khaliajuri, and Barhatta upazilas due to heavy rainfall. Local residents in the Dingapota Haor area also fear crop losses as waterlogging intensifies. Mokhlesur Rahman, a farmer from Gaurakanda village, cultivated 25 bighas of land and now worries that the persistent rain will ruin his harvest.
Kamrul Islam, a farmer from Tetulia East Para, expressed similar anxieties. Having borrowed funds from local lenders, traders, and NGOs to cultivate 20 katha (1 Katha = 720 sq ft) of land, he is now deeply concerned about his ability to sell the crop. Farmers warn that if the rainfall continues, they will face not only crop failure but also a severe financial crisis under the burden of debt.
Amirul Islam, deputy director of the Netrokona Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), told Bonik Barta, “Boro harvesting in the haors usually begins after April 15. While early rains have caused waterlogging in some areas, there’s no need for farmers to panic yet. As long as the plants aren’t fully submerged or the water remains below the stalks, the crops aren’t at immediate risk.”
Netrokona Deputy Commissioner Khandaker Mushfiqur Rahman stated that officials from various departments have already been instructed to provide necessary assistance to the haor farmers.
In Kishoreganj, hailstorms in late March damaged thousands of acres of Boro land. Similarly, in the Hakaluki Haor area of Moulvibazar’s Kulaura upazila, approximately 100 bighas of half-ripe Boro paddy have been submerged in two beels. Local residents noted that crops in two other nearby beels are also at risk.
Affected farmers reported that heavy rain lashed the area for several hours on Friday night. Additionally, flash floods from upstream hilly regions descended through the Juri, Kanthinala, Gogalichhara, and Phanai rivers. Water began entering the Ugla and Hasoirdibi beels on Saturday morning, submerging two paddy fields by noon.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board stated that the Sylhet and Haor regions may experience medium to heavy rainfall (23–88 mm daily) until April 10. However, rainfall is expected to decrease slightly to light or medium levels on April 11 and 12.
The forecast further noted that water levels in major northeastern rivers are rising, specifically the Surma-Kushiyara in Sylhet and Sunamganj, and the Dhanu-Baulai in Kishoreganj. Conversely, water levels in the Bhugai-Kongso river in Netrokona are slightly receding.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) reported higher-than-normal rainfall in the Haor basin and upstream areas over the past seven days. Sarder Udoy Raihan, executive engineer at the FFWC, told Bonik Barta, “Despite the increased rainfall, there is little risk of a major flood situation developing immediately. While water levels are rising, they are expected to remain below the pre-monsoon danger marks.”
(Sylhet and Netrokona correspondents contributed to this report)