Heavy rain incurs loss of Tk 44.99m in Khulna div

Persistent heavy rainfall since the beginning of July has affected around 8,000 farmers in four districts of the Khulna division, damaging crops and causing an estimated loss of Tk 44.99 million, according to the Directorate of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Khulna.

The affected districts are Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat and Narail.

A report submitted to the DAE director general’s office by Khulna Region Additional Director Md Rafiqul Islam said that out of 13,320 hectares of land under cultivation with different crops, 386 hectares were damaged by excessive rainfall.

Crops worth around Tk 44.99 million were lost as fields remained waterlogged and produce rotted before harvest.

Bagerhat suffered the worst damage, with nearly 4,000 farmers — including commercial growers, sharecroppers and marginal farmers — affected.

The report also noted that the onset of the Bengali month of Shraban and the continued downpour pushed up farm labour wages.

Vegetable prices have increased by Tk 15-20 per kilogram in some markets, while transport fares for vegetable-laden vans and trolleys from Dumuria and Batiaghata have risen by about 50 percent.

As many farmers were forced to harvest prematurely to avoid further losses, vegetables such as eggplant and pointed gourd were sold at lower prices.

The excessive rainfall is also expected to delay the arrival of winter vegetables, including beans, bottle gourd and tomatoes, in local markets.

According to a separate report by Narail Deputy Director of Agricultural Extension Md Arifur Rahman, Aman seedbeds, Aus paddy, summer vegetables and betel leaf plantations were damaged in the district.
Crop losses there have been estimated at around Tk 20 million, affecting 2,468 farmers.

Dr Abul Kalam Babla, vice-president of the Satkhira Citizens’ Rights Development Committee, said prolonged waterlogging has affected most parts of Satkhira municipality and Sadar upazila.

He said canals need to be re-excavated to improve drainage, particularly in areas such as Rasulpur and Kamalnagar. He also called for the removal of unauthorized fish enclosures that obstruct the natural flow of water and worsen flooding.