Torrential rains lashed the capital on Sunday afternoon, breaking days of unbearable heat but plunging Dhaka’s sacrificial animal markets (haats) into severe mismanagement and distress ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Downpours transformed major temporary and permanent trading grounds—including the Tejgaon and Shahjahanpur Maitree Sangha Club haats—into fields of thick mud and stagnant, knee-deep water. The abrupt weather shift disrupted operations, choked buyer turnout, and left cross-country farmers struggling under mounting overhead costs.
At the Tejgaon market, rows of cattle stood in water-logged stalls with few buyers in sight. Farmers who traveled from distant hubs like Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Chuadanga, and Kushtia expressed deep frustration over the sluggish start to the trading season.
"I brought 13 cows from Jamalpur. Usually, the market is buzzing by now, but the rain has kept people away. Our daily maintenance costs are piling up, and we are terrified we won't get a fair price if the weather doesn't clear up soon." Shakil Mia, Cattle Trader.
Traders also noted that the cost of rearing livestock, animal feed, and truck rentals jumped abnormally over the last few years, severely thinning their profit margins.
Buyers faced equal hardship. Many who braved the weather reported that walking through the waterlogged grounds to inspect cattle was nearly impossible. Incidents of spooked cows slipping, breaking loose, and causing minor accidents in the mud further spooked city dwellers, prompting many to head home empty-handed.
While market volunteers and management authorities stated that security measures have been heightened, they acknowledged that maintaining hygiene and clearing the slush has become a massive challenge. Haat supervisors remain hopeful that sales will rebound in the coming days, provided the monsoon rains subside.
