Haor floods wash away harvest overnight, stench of rotting paddy fills air in Habiganj

The heart-wrenching scenes unfolding in Habiganj's haor regions paint a grim picture of the devastating impact of the recent floods. For farmers like Swapan Mia and Girindra Das, months of hard work and financial investment have been wiped out in a single night. The golden fields, once a symbol of hope and prosperity, are now submerged under murky waters, carrying the stench of decay and despair.

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I borrowed Tk 150,000 from neighbours and a moneylender. I thought if my 17 bighas yielded well, I could repay the loan and bring some relief to my family.

These farmers, who often borrow heavily to cultivate their land, are now staring at a mountain of debt with no harvest to show for it. The loss is not just financial; it's a threat to their families' survival, impacting their ability to provide food, education, and basic necessities. The inability to salvage and dry the crops due to continuous rainfall adds another layer of hardship, making the situation dire.

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When I went to the field in the morning, everything was under water. I stood there holding a handful of paddy. It felt like everything was over.

While the Bangladesh Water Development Board predicts continued rainfall, local authorities are scrambling to assess the damage and provide assistance. Emergency meetings are being held, and lists of affected farmers are being compiled. However, the scale of the disaster, affecting thousands of hectares of cropland, suggests that immediate relief efforts will be crucial to prevent widespread destitution. The resilience of these farming communities is being tested like never before.

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My year-long dream has shattered in a single night. How will I survive with a seven-member family, including four children? Our food, education — everything depends on paddy.