Persistent storms, heavy rainfall and upstream water flow have flattened standing Boro paddy in several districts across Bangladesh, raising fears of crop losses during the peak harvesting season and sparking concerns over the country’s overall rice output.
From Dinajpur in the north to Netrokona in the northeast, large stretches of Boro fields have been submerged or bent over by strong winds and continuous rainfall, threatening yields at a critical stage when most crops are nearing harvest.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Boro paddy has been cultivated on around 4.9 million hectares of land nationwide this season, with the government targeting over 21 million tons of rice production from the Boro crop alone.
Boro accounts for more than half of Bangladesh’s total annual rice production, making any weather-related damage at this stage a major concern for both farmers and national food security.
In Hili and Hakimpur upazilas of Dinajpur, three consecutive days of rainfall accompanied by gusty winds have caused widespread damage to Boro crops. In many low-lying fields, waterlogging has submerged rice panicles, while strong winds have left mature plants lying flat on the ground.
Farmers in several villages said harvesting was expected to begin within days, but persistent rain has delayed the process, increasing the risk of grain damage and reducing expected yields.
“We were preparing to harvest soon, but the rain has delayed everything. If the water remains in the fields for a few more days, the paddy will be badly damaged,” said a farmer in Hakimpur.
Hakimpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Arjena Begum said farmers are being advised to drain excess water from their fields and tie fallen plants together where possible.
“They are also being encouraged to harvest mature paddy immediately to reduce potential losses,” she added.
According to local agriculture office data, 7,626 hectares of land have been cultivated with Boro paddy in Hakimpur-Hili upazila this season.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in India’s Meghalaya state has triggered a sudden rise in water levels in the Someshwari River in Netrokona’s Durgapur upazila, putting standing Boro crops at risk.
Water began flowing into the river through the Bijoypur border point from early Wednesday, and the level continued to rise throughout the day.
Local residents reported that wooden bridges at several river crossings—including areas between Teri Bazar Ghat and Shibganj Ghat, as well as Birishiri and South Bhabanipur—were submerged and partially damaged due to the sudden rise in water.
The bridges had been constructed with financial support from the Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament and local MP Barrister Kaiser Kamal.
Rickshaw driver Ramiz Uddin said river crossings have become risky since the bridges were damaged.
“Earlier, we could cross safely using the wooden bridge. Now we have to depend on boats, and that has increased the risk, especially for students and daily commuters,” he said.
According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), as of 3pm on Wednesday, the Someshwari River at Bijoypur point was flowing 5.11 metres below the danger level, while at Durgapur point it was 3.53 metres below the danger level. Water levels in the Kangsha River were also recorded 3.99 metres below the danger level.
Durgapur Upazila Agriculture Officer Nipa Biswas said 17,608 hectares of land have been brought under Boro cultivation in the upazila this season, with approximately 1,200 hectares harvested so far.
“We are urging farmers to harvest their paddy as quickly as possible. Continued rainfall could create serious difficulties for local farmers,” she said.
Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mizanur Rahman said the administration is monitoring the situation closely.
“There is no flood situation yet, but we have taken necessary preparations and are assisting farmers to accelerate harvesting,” he added.
Agricultural officials said reports of flattened paddy and localized waterlogging are emerging from multiple regions, particularly in northern districts, haor areas, and parts of central Bangladesh where low-lying farmland is vulnerable to late-season rainfall.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast further rainfall in several parts of the country over the coming days. Officials warned that if rainfall continues in upstream regions, river levels in northeastern districts could rise further, increasing the risk of localized flooding.
Officials from the agriculture ministry said efforts are underway to speed up harvesting using combine harvesters and other mechanised tools, particularly in vulnerable regions.
Farmers have been advised to:
- Harvest mature paddy immediately
- Drain standing water from fields
- Tie fallen plants to prevent grain loss
- Use mechanical harvesters where available to accelerate harvesting
Experts say the extent of crop damage—and its potential impact on national rice supply—will largely depend on weather conditions over the next several days.
“If rainfall continues during this critical harvesting period, localized losses could increase significantly, affecting both farmer incomes and regional production targets,” an agriculture official said.
