Low-lying areas and chars along the Padma, Mahananda, and Punarbhaba rivers in Chapainawabganj have been submerged following a sudden rise in water levels, causing significant damage to crops.
According to locals, around 4,585 farmers have been affected, with crops on 1,354 hectares of land along the rivers destroyed.
Residents reported that over the past 10 days, water levels in the three rivers have been steadily increasing, allowing floodwaters to inundate croplands and homes.
Dr Palash Sarkar, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Chapainawabganj, confirmed the surge and the subsequent damage.
"Crops on 1,354 hectares of land have been affected in Sadar, Shibganj, and Gomastapur upazilas," he said.
Among the damaged crops are Aush rice, pulses, and onions, with 4,585 farmers bearing the brunt of the losses.
Ahsan Habib, executive engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board in Chapainawabganj, explained that the rising water levels were caused by an onrush of water from upstream India, where heavy rainfall has been recorded in recent days.
However, he said that the rivers are still flowing below the danger level and expressed optimism that the water would begin to recede in the coming days.
The BWDB reported that as of 6am on Wednesday, the water levels in the Padma, Mahananda, and Punarbhaba rivers had risen by 5 cm, 6 cm, and 10 cm, respectively, over the previous 24 hours.
