Floods destroy 1.1 million tons of rice in Bangladesh

FILE PHOTO: A view shows a partially submerged school and madrasa premises amid severe flooding in the Fazilpur area of Feni, Bangladesh, August 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain/File Photo

DHAKA (Reuters) - Floods in Bangladesh have destroyed an estimated 1.1 million metric tons of rice, according to data from the agriculture ministry, prompting the country to ramp up imports of the staple grain amid soaring food prices.

Floods brought by heavy monsoon rains and torrential upstream runoff struck the country in two major waves in August and October, claiming at least 75 lives and affecting millions, particularly in the eastern and northern regions where crop damage has been the most severe.