Untimely rain submerges boro fields in Habiganj haors, raising fears of losses

A vast stretch of boro paddy fields in the haor areas of Habiganj has gone under water after several days of unseasonal rainfall, triggering fears of significant losses.

Water levels have risen steadily, inundating low-lying fields across Nabiganj upazila, Baniachang upazila, Ajmiriganj and Lakhai upazila. New areas continue to be flooded as rainfall persists.

Habiganj Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Additional Deputy Director (crops) and agronomist Milton Biswas said field inspections found approximately 405 bighas of land inundated, with the worst-hit areas in Baniachang.

However, farmers say the actual extent of damage is likely much higher, as assessments are still under way.

Sujatpur Union Parishad Chairman Sadiqur Rahman said water has been entering nearby haors for the past week after the Ratna River embankment overflowed.

“Each day, new areas are going under water, with around 7,000 bighas of immature paddy fields already submerged,” he added.

On the ground, growers describe a worsening situation, with many uncertain whether they will be able to harvest their crops, particularly those who cultivated land through loans or lease agreements.

Mahbubur Rahman, a farmer from Sujatpur village in Baniachang, said large areas of paddy fields in Ugli, Batasar and Bali haors have already gone under water.

He estimated that around 2,000 bighas of land in several haors, including Sujatpur, Ikram and Shatumukha, have been submerged.

Another farmer, Ahlad Mia of Ikram village, said he leased eight bighas of land at Tk 3,500 per bigha by taking loans. The crop had shown promise, but a few days of rain left the entire field submerged, he said.

With rainfall continuing and no immediate sign of water receding, farmers fear further losses in the coming days.

Agriculture officials, however, have provided varying estimates of the damage.

In Baniachang, Assistant Agriculture Officer Alok Kumar Chanda said boro had been cultivated on 33,705 hectares of land, with waterlogging reported in several haors, including Bhugli, Bholluar, Rajakhai, Hijli, Bali and Bager Agar.

In Lakhai, Agriculture Officer Md Shahadul Islam said around six hectares of boro paddy have been submerged near the Dhaleshwari River.

Habiganj Deputy Director Md Aktaruzzaman said the flooding was primarily caused by rainwater. The water accumulating in the haors is largely due to rainfall rather than upstream river flow, he added.

DAE officials warned that continued rainfall could worsen the situation, with little immediate remedy available, particularly in haor areas. However, they said conditions may improve if rainfall subsides.