Prolonged heavy rainfall, flash floods from upstream hill runoff and flooding triggered by a recent low-pressure system have caused widespread damage to Rangamati’s livestock and agriculture sectors, leaving thousands of farmers and livestock rearers struggling to recover.
According to preliminary assessments by the Department of Livestock Services and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the disaster caused an estimated Tk1.54 crore in losses to the livestock sector and Tk61.45 crore in agricultural losses.
Officials said the floods affected farmers and livestock rearers in 26 unions across 10 upazilas, while crops on 3,675 hectares of farmland were damaged. Of that, 1,270 hectares were completely destroyed.
Data from the district livestock office show that 5,428 cattle, 28 buffaloes, 6,662 goats, 40 sheep, 17,809 chickens and 7,388 ducks were affected by the floods, with Naniarchar, Barkal, Rajasthali and Baghaichhari among the worst-hit upazilas.
The flooding killed 11 cattle—nine in Rajasthali, one in Baghaichhari and one in Kawkhali—as well as 2,500 chickens in Naniarchar and Rajasthali.
Floodwaters also submerged around 1,550.5 acres of grazing land, triggering a severe shortage of animal feed.
The disaster damaged 185 livestock farms and 144 poultry and duck farms across the district. In addition, about 74 tonnes of concentrated feed, 1,124 tonnes of straw and 542 tonnes of grass were destroyed.
Despite the losses, veterinary teams have remained active in affected areas. So far, officials have vaccinated 1,453 livestock animals and 6,620 poultry birds, while treatment services have been provided to 3,027 livestock animals and 11,425 poultry birds.
Meanwhile, the DAE reported that floodwaters damaged crops on 3,675 hectares of agricultural land, including 699 hectares of high-yielding Aus paddy, 462 hectares of local Aus paddy, 1,136 hectares of summer vegetables, 422 hectares of ginger, 344 hectares of turmeric, 203 hectares of Aman seedbeds and 410 hectares of horticultural crops.
The agency estimates that around 11,300 farming families have been affected, with the heaviest losses recorded in Aus paddy, Aman seedbeds and vegetable cultivation.
Rangamati District Livestock Officer Dr Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem said lists of affected farmers and livestock rearers had been prepared and submitted to the district administration and relevant authorities.
“Veterinary medical teams are continuing vaccination, treatment and emergency support activities in the field. These efforts will remain in place until the situation normalizes,” he said.
DAE Deputy Director Md Moniruzzaman said Baghaichhari and Bilaichhari upazilas suffered the most extensive agricultural damage.
“Continuous rainfall, flash floods and flooding have severely affected cropland across the district. Nearly 11,300 farming families have been impacted, and total agricultural losses are estimated at Tk61.45 crore,” he said.
He added that a list of affected farmers has been sent to the ministry and assistance measures are being planned to help them recover from the losses.
