Farmers in the Moheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar, famed for its evergreen betel leaves, were the worst sufferers of Cyclone Hamoon, leaving them staring into the abyss as they wonder how to cover up massive losses.

Betel leaf grown in Kushtia is not only popular across Bangladesh, but also beyond the country’s borders with increasing exports in the last several years encouraging more farmers to cultivate the crop.