Continuous rainfall over the past seven days has submerged crops across 306 hectares of farmland in Gopalganj district, causing losses mainly among vegetable growers, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).
DAE Deputy Director Dr Md Mamunur Rahman said heavy rainfall from July 5 to July 12 affected farmland in five upazilas. The damaged crops include vegetables, Aush paddy, jute and other seasonal crops.
Vegetable farmers have suffered the biggest losses, with 1,360 growers affected across 85 hectares of land. Crops such as chilli, sesame, sown Aman paddy, banana, cucumber, papaya, ginger, maize, summer onion and jute have also been impacted.
Rahman said water has started receding from the fields, and DAE officials are assessing the extent of the damage. A complete report on affected farmers is expected within 15 working days.
Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Mafroz Akhter said the impact is currently limited because there are fewer standing crops in the district and water is draining quickly. He added that the actual losses will become clearer within two to three weeks.
In Gobra Union, Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer Raj Kumar Roy said two of the six hectares of Aush paddy under his supervision were submerged. However, the crop is recovering as floodwater recedes. Vegetable cultivation in the area covers less than one hectare, but around half of the crops, including chilli, sponge gourd, yardlong bean and bitter gourd, have been damaged.
Farmers reported financial losses due to waterlogging. Rabiul Islam of Dakshin Gobra village said the roots of his sponge gourd and bitter gourd plants had rotted, causing an estimated loss of Tk 15,000–20,000. Sheikh Azizur Rahman said his entire Aush paddy field was submerged, though he expects limited losses because the variety is flood-tolerant.
Farmer Safayet Molra estimated losses of around Tk 15,000 after more than half of his Aush paddy field was affected. In Char Gobra village, Amit Hasan and Ramzan reported chilli crop losses of around Tk 10,000 and Tk 5,000 respectively.
Meanwhile, the fisheries sector has not reported significant damage. District Fisheries Officer Md Kamrul Hasan said no fish had escaped from ponds or enclosures due to flooding. Gopalganj, known for its wetlands, produces around 42,000 metric tonnes of fish annually.
The district recorded 397.2 millimetres of rainfall between July 5 and July 12, according to the Meteorological Office. Rainfall is expected to decrease briefly before rising again due to the monsoon.
The Bangladesh Water Development Board said water levels in the Madhumati River, Kumar River and Madhumati Bill Route Channel remain below danger levels, and there is currently no flood threat in the district.