Chuadanga records five times more rain compared with last July

The border district in the south-western part of the country has recorded 417mm of rain in July this year

Rainfall has risen sharply in Chuadanga since the start of this year’s monsoon.

In the past month alone, the border district in the south-western part of Bangladesh has recorded 417mm of rain, nearly five times more than what was logged during the same period last year.

The excessive rainfall, however, has caused immense suffering to the residents, disrupting daily life and reducing the earnings of low-income people.

Several low-lying areas in the district have gone underwater due to the showers. Storms accompanying the rains have also damaged crops.

Rakibul Hasan, senior officer at the Chuadanga Meteorological Observatory, said: “Last year, the monsoon season saw very little rain. In the entire month of July, only 85mm of rain was recorded.

“But this year, from Jul 1-31, the rainfall amounted to 417mm, nearly a fivefold increase.”

He added, “The heaviest rainfall occurred at the end of July. From Jul 24-31, 121mm of rain fell.”

He attributed the extreme rainfall to climate change.

Farmers in the district have expressed concern, noting that while rain is essential for cultivation, excessive rain can be harmful.

Aftab Uddin, a farmer from Alokdia village in Chuadanga Sadar Upazila, said: “Along with the rain, we’ve had intermittent storms this July. This has damaged crops like betel leaf and others. In some areas, the soil became loose due to the constant rain, causing papaya orchards to collapse.”

Idris Ali, a three-wheeler driver from the same village, said: “No one wants to ride in an open van when they see clouds in the sky. It drizzled all day on [Thursday]. We couldn’t earn anything.”

The downpours have also impacted trade, raising transportation costs and the prices of vegetables, including green chilli.

Nazim Uddin, a vegetable trader in Chuadanga’s Boro Bazar, said: “Due to the rain, supply has dropped. As a result, prices of some vegetables have nearly doubled.

“Eggplant is selling at Tk 70 to Tk 80 per kg. Just a few days ago, pointed gourd was Tk 20 per kg, now it’s being sold at Tk 40.”

Rakibul, however, says more rainfall is expected ahead.

He said that sporadic rain continued on Aug 1 and 2 after July. According to the forecast, rainfall will persist for several more days this month, with an increase expected after Aug 4.