Farmers reel under mounting Boro losses

Heavy rain and gusty winds battered the capital on Wednesday as the Bangladesh Meteorological Department warned of a prolonged 96-hour spell of downpours across the country, heightening concerns over flooding, crop losses and widespread disruption to daily life.

Commuters in Dhaka endured severe difficulties as waterlogged streets, reduced visibility and intermittent squalls slowed traffic along major routes.

Offices opened late, public transport moved sluggishly, and business activity dipped as persistent rain showed little sign of easing. Meteorologists said light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds and lightning were likely in most divisions, including Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet, with some areas expected to experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall.

The current weather system, driven by a steep pressure gradient over the North Bay, could persist for several days, bringing countrywide spells of rain and storms, Met office said.

Authorities have advised all four maritime ports – Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra – to hoist Local Warning Signal No. 3, indicating squally weather conditions that may disrupt maritime operations. Fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay have been instructed to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

The Met Office also warned of lightning risks and urged residents to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid open spaces and refrain from entering water bodies when severe weather strikes.

The impact of the continuing rain is being felt most acutely in the low-lying haor regions of the northeast, where rising water levels are submerging standing Boro paddy just weeks before harvest.

What is usually a season of golden fields has turned into a scene of anxiety, as vast stretches of cropland disappear under water.

In districts such as Sunamganj, Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Habiganj and Moulvibazar, farmers are racing against time – often wading through knee- to chest-deep water – to salvage whatever they can.

Many have already lost large portions of their crop, while harvested paddy left to dry in open yards is rotting due to the absence of sunlight.

Agricultural experts warn that prolonged inundation could devastate yields and push thousands of farming households into financial distress. For many, Boro cultivation represents their primary source of income for the year.

In several haors, breached embankments have worsened the situation, allowing upstream floodwaters to rush in and inundate ripened fields.

Local residents say they can do little but watch as their crops, the result of months of labour and borrowed investment, sink beneath rising water.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), water levels in at least four rivers – the Bhugai, Kangsha, Someshwari and Magra – are flowing above danger marks. Except for the Manu, most of these rivers pass through Netrokona, where the situation is deteriorating rapidly.

The FFWC has warned that low-lying areas in Moulvibazar, Netrokona, Sylhet, Habiganj and Sunamganj are at high risk of flooding as rainfall continues. Flooding has already begun in parts of Moulvibazar and Netrokona, with river levels rising swiftly due to heavy rainfall both within the country and upstream.

Officials noted that smaller rivers in the haor basin tend to swell quickly, making flash floods more likely during intense rainfall. The Surma and Kushiyara rivers have also recorded sharp increases in water levels, adding to concerns across the northeast.

Northern and eastern regions, particularly Sylhet and Moulvibazar, have been hit by continuous rain, storms and landslides. In some areas, hundreds of residents have reportedly been stranded as roads went under water and transport links were disrupted.

In the hilly areas of Chattogram division, the risk of landslides has risen significantly as saturated soil becomes unstable under persistent rainfall. Local administrations have issued alerts, urging residents in vulnerable zones to remain cautious and relocate if necessary.

A wooden bridge at Shibganj-Teribazar ghat in Netrokona collapsed under pressure from upstream floodwaters earlier this week, highlighting the growing strain on rural infrastructure.

For farmers, the timing of the rains has proved devastating. With harvesting underway, many fields have been inundated before crops could be collected. Even where paddy has been cut, continuous rain has prevented proper drying, causing grains to rot or sprout prematurely.

In several villages, farmers reported storing harvested paddy in sacks along roadsides or shopfronts, only to see it deteriorate after days of damp conditions. The absence of sufficient labour and harvesting machinery has further compounded the crisis, leaving many unable to act in time.

Agriculture officials say emergency assessments may be required if flooding worsens, including financial assistance and rehabilitation support for affected farmers.

Amid mounting concern, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday told the Parliament that the government would provide assistance for the next three months to farmers affected by the heavy downpours.

Responding to a question from a lawmaker representing a haor constituency, the Prime Minister said he had already instructed local administrations in vulnerable districts to prepare in line with weather forecasts and take necessary measures.

Describing the situation as “very painful”, he said affected farmers would be identified and provided with support to help them recover from crop losses.

Meteorologists have indicated that rainfall may continue intermittently across different regions until early May, with particularly heavy spells likely in the northeastern and coastal areas. The highest rainfall in the past 24 hours was recorded in Nikli, Kishoreganj, at 161 mm, underscoring the intensity of the current system.

While the situation may improve once rainfall subsides, officials caution that the coming days will be critical. With swollen rivers, fragile embankments and vulnerable agricultural zones, the risk of further flooding remains high.