Cumilla, July 10 -- Thousands of farmers in Cumilla are facing significant crop losses after water from the Gomti River, swollen by upstream hill runoff, inundated vast stretches of char land, submerging early-season vegetable fields.

A visit to Balikhara, Bhanti and Kamarkhara areas of Burichang upazila on Thursday found extensive vegetable fields under water, with leafy vegetables and other crops floating on the surface. Farmers were seen wading through waist-deep water in a desperate effort to salvage whatever crops they could.

Farmer Abdul Haque of Bhanti said he had invested around Tk 300,000 in cultivating early-season radish and bottle gourd, but the sudden rise in the Gomti's water level submerged his entire field.

Another farm...