TDS Desk:

Recent floods in Chattogram have submerged 23,991 hectares of farmland, causing damage worth Tk394.15 crore to the agricultural sector.

At least 1,61,371 farmers have been affected by the disaster, according to a report by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Chattogram yesterday (27 August).

The report mentioned the impact of the floods on Aman, Aus, and autumn vegetables in 15 upazilas and parts of the city. DAE officials warned that the extent of the damage could increase as further assessments are made.

Mohammad Abdus Sobhan, deputy director of the DAE in Chattogram, told that, “Many areas are still under water. In several upazilas, Aus and Aman crops, as well as seedbeds, are submerged. Once the water recedes, our field officers will conduct inspections, and the final report may reveal even greater losses.”

The DAE’s report indicates that this season, 1,02,200 hectares of land were cultivated for Aman. Of this, 45,222 hectares were affected by the floods.

The report details that 13,831 hectares were completely damaged, while 31,391 hectares were partially affected, resulting in financial losses of Tk251.63 crore. About 75,540 farmers have been impacted by the damage to Aman crops alone.

Similarly, of the 34,199 hectares planted with Aus, 8,939 hectares were submerged in floodwaters. The report reveals that 889 hectares were entirely damaged, while 8,050 hectares suffered partial damage, leading to a loss of Tk24.33 crore for 23,674 farmers.

In addition, the floods severely impacted autumn vegetables, with 1,238 hectares of the 5,070 hectares of cultivated land completely damaged, and another 1,034 hectares partially affected. The financial loss for vegetable farmers stands at Tk108.16 crore, affecting 22,650 farming families.

Moreover, 798 hectares of Aman seedbeds were submerged, resulting in a financial loss of Tk7.73 crore.

Other affected crops include ginger, turmeric, sugarcane, and betel leaf.

Ginger farmers suffered losses of Tk95 lakh, turmeric farmers Tk94 lakh, while sugarcane and betel leaf farmers each faced losses of Tk65 lakh.