May 01 (V7N) - Thousands of farmers in Kachua upazila of Bagerhat district are facing severe losses after unseasonal heavy rainfall flooded vast stretches of Boro paddy fields, damaging both standing and harvested crops.  

According to the Upazila Agriculture Department, around 7,300 hectares of land were cultivated with Boro paddy this season, with expectations of a strong yield. However, continuous rainfall over the past few days inundated low-lying areas, leaving fields underwater and destroying crops just days before harvest.  

Farmers reported that many had already begun harvesting, while others had cut semi-ripe paddy and left it in the fields to dry. The sudden flooding has put these crops at high risk of rotting, making recovery nearly impossible. Several affected farmers expressed frustration and despair, saying they had hoped for a good harvest but now face financial ruin, especially those who had taken loans to finance cultivation.  

Upazila Agriculture Officer Akash Bairagi confirmed the extent of the damage, noting that officials are compiling a list of affected farmers. “The full extent of the losses will be determined after field-level assessments,” he said.  

Farmers have urgently called for government intervention, including financial assistance and incentives such as seeds and fertilizers. They warned that without immediate support, many may not be able to continue cultivation in the next season.  

The unexpected disaster has dealt a significant blow to the region’s agricultural output, raising concerns about the livelihoods of farmers and potential impacts on the local food supply.  

END/KHL/RH