Premature flooding, attributed to climate change, has submerged vast areas of harvest-ready Boro paddy in Gurudaspur and Tarash upazilas of Natore's Chalan Beel region.
Farmers are facing severe financial loss due to crop damage, compounded by labor shortages and storage issues.
Agricultural officer Harunur Rashid explained that 30% of the land was planted with Namla variety paddy after mustard harvesting. Although profitable, the method is risky, and rising water levels have put the harvest in jeopardy.