Heavy rainfall over the past week and runoff from upstream areas have damaged crops on more than 2,109 hectares in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh, affecting 22,406 farmers, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

In Sylhet district, Aus paddy on 1,286 hectares was damaged, affecting 11,085 farmers. Aman seedbeds covering 155 hectares were inundated, impacting 2,850 farmers. Summer vegetables on 538 hectares were also flooded, affecting 3,915 farmers, while fruit orchards covering 20 hectares were damaged, affecting 405 farmers. In total, 1,709 hectares of farmland were affected in the district, impacting 18,256 farmers.

In Moulvibazar district, Aus paddy on 248 hectares was damaged by flooding caused by rainfall, affecting 920 farmers. A further 1,815 farmers were affected after Aman seedbeds on 100 hectares were damaged when a breach in the Manu River embankment caused flooding during the heavy rains.

Summer vegetables on around 100 hectares were also damaged, affecting 1,415 farmers in several upazilas. The total number of affected farmers in Moulvibazar Sadar, Srimangal, Komolganj, Juri, Barlekha, Kulaura, and Rajnagar upazilas reached 4,150.

Deputy Assistant Director of DAE Moulvibazar, ASM Farhad, said: "We are yet to make any assessment on the extent of crop damage. However, it will take some time." He added: "However, the affected poor farmers would get government assistance for the next crop."

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com