Continuous rainfall and onrush of water from upstream have led to a steady rise in water levels of Hakaluki Haor and Kawadighi Haor in Moulvibazar, damaging paddy on 2,160 hectares of land, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension. Officials warn that the extent of damage is likely to increase further if rainfall continues.
In several haor areas, including Kanjir Haor near the district headquarters, Boro paddy has remained submerged for nearly six days. Farmers said that prolonged submersion is causing the crops to rot, while harvested paddy stored in open spaces is sprouting due to the absence of sunlight. Many farmers say they are devastated as they watch their crops being destroyed before their eyes.
The crisis has been further aggravated by a shortage of labour. Excess water has made it impossible to operate combine harvesters, while labourers are unwilling to work in deeply flooded fields.
Within the Monu project area, Boro paddy fields in Kawadighi Haor continue to remain submerged and are deteriorating rapidly. Farmers allege that pump stations are not being operated at full capacity, contributing to rising water levels. Waterlogging is also persisting in Kawadighi Haor and surrounding areas.
Farmers Khorshed Mia, Amzad Hossain, and Ali Hossain said they invested their entire seasonal earnings, taking loans from NGOs and borrowing money to cultivate Boro paddy. “Everything is now underwater. What will we feed our families? How will we repay our loans?” one of them said.
Executive Engineer Khaled Bin Alid of Water Development Board in Moulvibazar said rainfall within the project area has caused water levels in Kawadighi Haor to rise continuously. He noted that heavy rainfall has created operational difficulties. “If rainfall decreases, it may take 5–6 days for the water to recede,” he said.
He further said that during recent storms, power supply disruptions affected pumping operations. Although 3 megawatts of electricity are required to run eight pumps, only about 2.5 megawatts is currently available, allowing only six pumps to operate.
DAE Deputy Director Md Jalal Uddin said on Saturday evening that crop damage is increasing across all seven upazilas of the district. So far, crops on 2,160 hectares have been affected, and losses are expected to rise if rainfall persists. A total of 62,400 hectares were brought under Boro cultivation this season.