Play store
Continuous rainfall and tidal flooding have caused extensive damage to agricultural land in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali, affecting nearly 80,000 farmers and raising fears of crop losses exceeding Tk 20 crore, according to the Upazila Agriculture Office.
Agriculture officials said several days of heavy rain since the middle of July inundated about 25,000 hectares of cropland across the coastal upazila, damaging a wide range of crops, including Aus paddy, Aman seedbeds, seasonal vegetables, fruits, chilli and betel leaf plantations.
As floodwaters begin to recede, many vegetable plants are dying from root rot, while young Aman seedlings are wilting, raising concerns over the upcoming planting season.
According to the Agriculture Office, the affected areas include 21,520 hectares of Aus paddy, 1,920 hectares of Aman seedbeds, 950 hectares of seasonal vegetables, 58 hectares of orchards, four hectares of chilli fields and 10 hectares of betel leaf gardens. All 11 unions and the municipality of Hatiya have reported crop losses.
In Char King Union’s Char Kailash village, farmer Farid Mia was seen trying to save his damaged Aman seedbed near the Nolchira main road. He said he had sown 60 kilograms of Aman seeds just 10 days before the heavy rain began.
“The seedbed went completely under water. I built raised embankments around it to drain the water, but the seedlings started collapsing as the water receded. I may have to sow the seeds again,” he said, expressing uncertainty about this season’s rice cultivation.
The situation is similar across the upazila, particularly in Char King and Char Ishwar unions, which are well known for vegetable farming. Large areas of vegetable fields remained submerged for days, and many plants have started rotting after the water drained away.
Farmer Khokon from East Gamchakhali village in Char Ishwar Union said he cultivated ridge gourd on nearly one acre of land after taking a loan from a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
“I spent around Tk 1.5 lakh on the crop, but I have not earned a single taka. The roots have rotted because of the continuous rain, and now I am removing the damaged plants from the field,” he said.
Agriculture officials said they have already begun advising affected farmers on recovery measures and alternative cultivation plans.
Hatiya Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Based Sabuj said sub-assistant agriculture officers have visited every union to assess the damage and provide guidance to farmers.
“We have already prepared a detailed report on the crop losses and submitted it to the district agriculture office for necessary action,” he said.
With agriculture being the main source of livelihood for thousands of families in the coastal upazila, farmers are now looking to the government for financial assistance and rehabilitation support to recover from the losses and resume cultivation for the upcoming Aman season.
Heavy Rain, Tidal Water, Crops, Noakhali, Hatiya