Dhaka: Heavy rains have severely impacted the rice harvest in Bangladesh as pre-monsoon downpours combined with floodwaters from India have caused river levels in northeastern Bangladesh to overflow. This situation poses a significant risk of widespread flooding during the crucial summer rice harvest season.

According to Thai News Agency, officials revealed that farmers are rushing into the fields amidst continuous rain and thunderstorms to harvest their crops in knee-high water levels to preserve as much produce as possible. Farmers in lowland areas are particularly focused on harvesting their second rice crop, the country's primary cash crop. The damage from the floods could have a serious impact on the livelihoods of rural populations and the national food reserves. Agricultural areas in the districts of Sunamganj, Silhet, Kishoreganj, Habiganj, and Mulvi Bazar have already begun to flood after water from the Indian states of Meghalaya and Assam surged in and breached dikes in several locations.

In addition to the flooding challenges, Bangladeshi farmers are also facing irrigation issues due to a shortage of diesel fuel. This shortage is a consequence of unrest stemming from the war with Iran in the Middle East. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department forecasts continued heavy rainfall in the coming days, which could further damage rice and other crops.

The heavy rainfall has also led to flooding in major cities, including Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong, affecting traffic and daily life for residents. The pressure on already overloaded drainage systems has increased significantly. Agricultural officials warn that even short periods of flooding in rice paddies could lead to a considerable reduction in rice yields.