DHAKA — Bangladesh’s agricultural sector has suffered a significant blow, with August floods causing 33.46 billion taka (approximately 280 million U.S. dollars) in damages, predominantly affecting the country’s eastern regions. The floods, which began on August 20 due to upstream mountain runoff and heavy rainfall, have led to extensive damage across multiple districts.

According to Namibia Press Agency, more than 200,000 hectares of cropland were damaged from the 372,733 hectares impacted overall, with districts like Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, and Noakhali among the hardest hit. The agriculture ministry reported that over 1.4 million farmers are facing the consequences of the floodwaters, which have disrupted their livelihoods and the agricultural output of the region.

Mohammad Zakir Hossain, a senior information officer at the agriculture ministry, detailed the government’s plans for a recovery program aimed at aiding the affected farmers and restoring agricultural productivity. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has updated the death toll related to the floods to 71 across 11 districts, noting that Feni alone accounted for 29 fatalities. In total, the floods have affected over 5 million people throughout Bangladesh, reflecting a substantial humanitarian crisis in the region.