Haor water levels remain static in B’baria, around 2,000 farmers affected

Water levels in several haors, including Medir Haor, have remained stable due to favourable weather conditions and the absence of heavy rainfall in Brahmanbaria’s Nasirnagar upazila. 

No new agricultural land has reportedly gone underwater in recent days.

Taking advantage of the sunny weather, farmers have been busy threshing and drying harvested paddy on the banks of the haor over the past few days.

Farmers said the improved weather has brought some relief after days of uncertainty. However, a large portion of haor cropland still remains submerged. Many farmers alleged that they had cultivated paddy using loans taken with interest and are now facing severe financial hardship after losing crops to flooding.

Due to several days of continuous heavy rainfall, water levels in the haor areas rose sharply, inundating low-lying croplands within a short period. Mature crops in Medir Haor and adjacent wetlands were submerged before many farmers were able to complete harvesting.

Nasirnagar Upazila Agriculture Officer Imran Hossain said boro paddy had been cultivated on around 11,000 hectares of land in the upazila’s haor areas during the current season.

He said nearly 70% of the paddy had already been harvested before water levels rose sharply. However, around 305 hectares of paddy fields remain submerged, causing estimated losses worth Tk13 crore. 

According to the agriculture office, harvesting has already been completed on an additional 25 hectares of land. The agriculture officer added that at least 2,000 farmers have been affected by the flooding. Preparation of a list of affected farmers is now in its final stage, and they will receive government support, including relief assistance.

In addition to Boro paddy, approximately 100 hectares of Aus seedbeds, maize, sesame, and vegetable crops have also been damaged.

Imran Hossain said, a list of affected farmers is being prepared. He also said that assistance measures are being planned, including relief support and prioritising affected farmers in ongoing Boro harvesting efforts.