Residents from Bangladesh’s haor regions living in Dhaka have placed nine demands, including scientific research on crop protection embankments and compensation for farmers affected by early floods. The demands were announced during a human chain held on Saturday in front of the National Press Club, organized by Haoranchalbasi, Dhaka. The group’s chief coordinator, Dr. Halim Dad Khan, said that three rounds of rainfall between mid-March and late April caused embankment breaches, submerging about 45,000 hectares of farmland.

Speakers added that hailstorms damaged another 800 hectares of crops and that ongoing rainfall in the haor areas and Meghalaya hills could worsen the situation. They noted that Boro rice is the only source of income for local farmers, many of whom cannot dry their harvested paddy due to continuous rain, leading to spoilage.

The nine demands include effective waterlogging solutions, year-round food support for affected farmers, dredging of rivers and canals, halting unplanned road and embankment construction, ensuring accountability for corruption in embankment projects, loan installment waivers, and combining local experience with scientific expertise for sustainable solutions.