With the Aman rice planting season approaching, farmers in many parts of Bangladesh had been preparing to transplant Aman seedlings from next month. 

However, a week of heavy rainfall and flash floods triggered by upstream runoff has submerged Aman seedbeds, Aush paddy and vegetable fields in several parts of the country.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), around 28,000 hectares of cropland in 12 districts have been affected by flooding so far, with the worst-hit areas located in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and the three hill districts.

Md Obaidur Rahman Mondal, Director of the Field Services Wing at the DAE, told Daily Waadaa that the preliminary assessment shows floodwaters have affected about 28,000 hectares of agricultural land.

"The affected crops include Aman seedbeds, Aush paddy, vegetables and several other crops. Some Betel leaf gardens in Cox's Bazar have also been affected. As floodwaters begin to recede, we will conduct a final assessment to determine the extent of the losses," he said.

Among the affected districts, Chattogram recorded the highest damage, with crops on 15,912 hectares affected.

This season, Aman seedbeds were prepared on 2,722 hectares in the district, of which 961 hectares have gone underwater. 

Floodwaters also affected 9,044 hectares of Aman paddy out of nearly 30,000 hectares cultivated in the district, while around 5,907 hectares of summer vegetables were affected.

In Cox's Bazar, crops on 4,135 hectares have been affected, while in Noakhali nearly 4,000 hectares of farmland have been inundated.

The DAE's Chattogram region, which covers Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Feni, Noakhali and Lakshmipur, is continuing to collect field-level information.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Additional Director of the DAE's Chattogram Region, told Daily Waadaa that a comprehensive damage assessment would be prepared once floodwaters fully recede.

"We are currently collecting preliminary data. After the flooding subsides, we will submit the final estimate of crop losses and the number of affected farmers to the ministry," he said.

Flooding has also damaged agricultural land across the three hill districts. According to the DAE's Rangamati office, around 4,000 hectares of Aush paddy, vegetables and fruit gardens have been affected.

Agricultural officials also reported crop damage, though on a smaller scale, in Sirajganj, Sunamganj and Habiganj.

Agricultural experts said damaged Aman seedbeds could be compensated by transporting seedlings from unaffected districts.

Abu Noman Faruq Ahmmed, Professor of Plant Pathology at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, told Waadaa that sufficient Aman seedlings are available nationwide to meet demand in flood-affected areas.

"I believe seedlings can be supplied from unaffected districts to areas where seedbeds have been damaged. If managed properly, there should not be a major shortage. However, farmers will still suffer financial losses because of the flooding," he said.

He added that Aman rice is naturally adapted to wet conditions, and three to four days of inundation are unlikely to cause significant damage. However, summer vegetables such as onions and chillies are expected to suffer considerable losses.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said the current spell of very heavy rainfall is likely to ease within the next one to two days.

Meteorologist Dr Md Omar Faruk told Waadaa that another spell of heavy rainfall is expected around July 16-17. 

"Scattered rainfall may continue throughout the month, but it is unlikely to persist for extended periods," he said.