Rajshahi, Nov 04 (V7N) — Continuous heavy rainfall in the Rajshahi region, caused by a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal, has inflicted significant damage on agriculture and fisheries. Over the past two days, thousands of hectares of crops have been submerged, and hundreds of fish ponds have been flooded, leaving farmers and fishery owners in distress.

The severe weather, particularly heavy rains on the night of Friday, October 31, has caused widespread flooding in low-lying fields across multiple upazilas including Tanore, Paba, Mohanpur, Bagmara, Durgapur, Puthia, and Godagari. Standing water has damaged ripening Aman paddy, boro paddy, maize, potatoes, and various Rabi-season crops, jeopardizing harvests that were expected to be abundant due to adequate rainfall earlier in the season.

In Tanore Upazila alone, 203 hectares of Aman paddy have been submerged. Of the 22,435 hectares cultivated in the upazila, 46 hectares are completely underwater, while another 157 hectares are partially affected. Officials warn that if water drainage from fields is delayed, further crop loss is imminent.

Farmers report that paddy stalks have been bent and submerged, making harvesting nearly impossible. In Bagmara and surrounding areas, the impact of Cyclone Montha has worsened conditions, flooding fields and damaging early-planted crops such as mustard, onion, vegetables, and maize.

The fisheries sector has also suffered significant losses. Heavy rains caused pond waters to overflow, leading to the death of fish valued at approximately 8.3 million Taka (around 40 metric tons). Infrastructure including rural roads and earthen houses have been damaged, further affecting the livelihoods of local residents.

According to the Deputy Director of the Agriculture Extension Department, Chapainawabganj, Dr. Yasin Ali, the following damages were observed: 2,235 hectares of Aman paddy, 37 hectares of potatoes, 917 hectares of mustard, 316 hectares of winter vegetables, 244 hectares of onions, 250 hectares of maize, 68 hectares of corn, 13 hectares of strawberries, and 379 hectares of garlic were affected by waterlogging.

Agricultural officials are urging farmers to expedite drainage from flooded fields to prevent further loss, while advising that crops such as potatoes may need replanting in severely affected areas. Despite the damages, adequate rainfall earlier in the season had promised a good yield for Aman paddy across 83,550 hectares in the Rajshahi region.

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