Dhaka, April 29 -- Incessant rainfall and an onrushing upstream swell have submerged at least 5,000 hectares of Boro paddy in four Upazilas of Habiganj, leaving thousands of farmers in despair as their primary annual crop goes under water.

The flash floods have hit the low-lying haor regions of Baniyachong, Ajmiriganj, Lakhai, and Nabiganj, where the sudden rise in water levels caught many off guard.

Mohammad Anwarul Haque, acting deputy director of the Habiganj Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), said field officers are currently assessing the total extent of the damage.

"Over the last few days, ripened paddy on approximately 5,000 hectares has been submerged in these four Upazilas. We had previously issued warnings to farmers...