Photo: BSS

By Md Tanvir Hayat Khan

NETROKONA, May 1, 2026 (BSS) – Flash floods triggered by upstream hill runoff and several days of heavy rainfall have begun submerging vast stretches of boro fields in Netrokona’s haor areas, raising fears of extensive crop losses and deep concern among farmers.

According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), water levels in the Kangsha and Ubdakhali rivers have crossed danger marks, inundating low-lying areas and croplands. 

Nearly 9,500 hectares of standing boro crops have already gone underwater.

The BWDB’s latest bulletin issued at 9:00am today described the overall river situation as alarming.
 
At Kolmakanda point, the Ubdakhali river was flowing 0.81 metres above the danger level, while at Jaria point, the Kangsha river exceeded its danger level by 1.10 metres, with water continuing to rise. 

At Khaliajuri point, the Dhanu river was just 0.12 metres below danger level, indicating a high risk of overflow.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), agriculturist Md Amirul Islam, said 1,85,547 hectares of land have been cultivated with boro this season, including 41,065 hectares in five haor upazilas. 

He noted that continuous rainfall since April 28 has caused significant damage, with submerged land increasing sharply from 1,675 hectares earlier this week to 9,500 hectares.

So far, about 65 percent of paddy in haor areas and 21 percent across the district have been harvested. 

The remaining crops could still be saved within the next 7–10 days if weather conditions improve and floodwater recedes quickly, he added.

However, farmers said more than half of their crops remain unharvested due to water-logging and adverse weather. 

Farmers in Khaliajuri reported that large portions of farmland have already been submerged, blaming unplanned embankments and silted drainage channels for aggravating the situation.

Abdul Wahab Morol, a farmer from Mohanganj, said half of his cultivated land is already under water. 

“Even at Tk 1,200 per day, labourers are not available,” he said, pointing to an acute labour shortage during the peak harvesting season.

Despite the supply of subsidized combine harvesters, farmers alleged that fuel shortages and waterlogged fields are limiting their use. Labour scarcity has also pushed wages above Tk 1,200 per day.

Frequent thunderstorms have further heightened fear among farmers, particularly after three farmers were killed by lightning in Khaliajuri last Tuesday while harvesting paddy.

BWDB Executive Engineer Sakhawat Hossain warned that the situation may deteriorate further if heavy rainfall continues over the next three days.

District Commissioner Khandakar Mushfiqur Rahman visited several haor areas to assess the situation and assured farmers of government support, including incentives for the next three months.

He said authorities are closely monitoring embankments, keeping geo-bags ready at vulnerable points, while district and upazila administrations have been conducting campaigns and public announcements urging farmers to harvest crops quickly.