By Sumon Ali from Rajshahi
A severe storm accompanied by heavy rainfall has caused extensive damage to Aman paddy and vegetables in various wetlands of Borgachi Union of Poba in Rajshahi. Due to waterlogging and strong winds, most of the paddy fields have been submerged, and the crops have flattened underwater.
Farmers said they were hoping to recover from their earlier financial losses caused by the low price of potatoes through Aman paddy and winter vegetables. Unfortunately, the untimely heavy rain has shattered their hopes, causing further damage instead. Many fear that a large portion of the paddy will rot, and straw yields will also decrease, resulting in an overall reduction in production this year.
To minimize the damage, farmers are taking immediate adaptive measures. Some are tying together five to six bundles of paddy to help the plants stand upright, while others are cutting the ridges of their fields to drain out the stagnant water.
This year, Borgachi also saw extensive cauliflower cultivation. However, the storm and rain severely damaged the cauliflower fields as well. Despite farmers tying the plants upright, the heavy rainfall eroded the soil around the roots, causing waterlogging and uprooting many plants. The strong wind has also caused many plants to fall flat on the ground.
Farmer Shimul Hossain said that he had to cut new drainage channels with a spade and rent a water pump to remove excess water from his field. He said, “This has increased my expenses even more,” describing the farmers’ situation as unbearable.
Farmers Sajjad, Mojahar, and Tajibur Rahman said, “The amount of storm and rain we experienced last night was like what we usually see in the months of Boishakh and Joishtho (April-May). Experiencing this in mid-Kartik (November) is truly surprising.” They added that seasonal shifts in weather are disrupting their farming patterns and livelihoods.
Another farmer, Halim Reza, said, “I have never seen such a strong storm and heavy rain during the winter season before. This is the first time in my life.” He explained that waterlogging has worsened because rivers, canals, and ponds have become silted and filled up, leaving no space for excess water to drain.
It is to mention that this year’s Aman paddy, along with cauliflower, cabbage, bottle gourd, and radish crops, had grown well. Farmers who were disappointed by low potato prices had invested their hopes in these crops to recover their losses. Sadly, those hopes have now been dashed.
