News Flash
RAJSHAHI, Aug 22, 2025 (BSS) - Unprecedented rainfall during the Bengali months of Ashar and Shraban has broken a 25-year record in Rajshahi division, severely damaging standing crops and vegetables on approximately 7,500 hectares of land, officials said.
According to the local meteorological office, 47 millimeters of rainfall were recorded on Wednesday and Thursday alone, following 10 millimeters the day before. Consistent rainfall throughout Ashar and Shraban has caused large-scale crop inundation, leaving farmers devastated.
Paddy and various vegetables, including brinjal, pointed gourd, bitter gourd, and green chili, were affected most in five upazilas of Rajshahi district-Paba, Mohanpur, Tanore, Durgapur, and Bagmara. Low-lying char areas in Paba, Godagari, and Bagha upazilas were also submerged due to the rising water levels in the Padma River.
Abdul Gaffar, a farmer from Malbanda village in Tanore upazila, said his paddy on two bighas and brinjal and groundnut on another bigha of land were inundated. "The water took everything," he told BSS.
Another affected farmer, Alamgir Hossain of Bishara village under Mohanpur upazila, lost green chili on 10 kathas of land, pointed gourd on another 10 kathas, and brinjal on five kathas. "How can I recover from such a loss?" he asked in despair.
In Naogaon district, around 3,000 hectares of cropland have been submerged due to the rising water of the Atrai River. In Chapainawabganj and Natore districts, waterlogging caused further damage to Aush paddy and transplanted Aman fields, especially in low-lying areas.
Saiful Islam, Director of the Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the incessant rains over the past two weeks have inundated at least 1,500 hectares of farmland. "The extent of losses may exceed Taka 500 crore across the region," he warned.
Dr Azizur Rahman, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), said standing crops were severely affected due to both excessive rainfall and rising river levels. "Chapainawabganj is the worst-hit district," he said, noting that Aush and Aman paddy were submerged along with vegetables in low-lying areas.
"Floodwaters have started receding, and we are advising farmers on recovery measures," he added.
