Remal wrecks havoc on Khulna, Bagerhat fish farms; crops at risk too
About 35,000 fish enclosures were flooded in Bagerhat due to the breach of about two kilometres of a dam and tidal water entering.
Cyclonic Storm Remal caused heavy flooding and rains, damaging over 74,000 fish farms in Khulna and Bagerhat, while posing risks for thousands of hectares of crops in the districts as harsh weather continues.
Khulna's Department of Fisheries reports nearly 38,800 shrimp farms in Koyra and Paikgacha upazila of Khulna were severely impacted, with many washed away.
Sattar Sana, a shrimp farmer, lost his entire crop for months due to the flooding caused by the cyclone. He said, "I have released spawns of Bagda shrimp for the last four months. This year's fishing season has just begun. At that very moment, the disaster took place.
Abdulla Al Mahmud, chairman of Maharajpur union of Khulna's Koyra upazila, said high tides breached about 50 metres of the dam on the Kapotaksha River bank, submerging villages and hundreds of shrimp farms.
Similar devastation occurred in Bagerhat's Morelganj and Sharankhola upazilas.
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About 35,000 fish enclosures were flooded due to the breach of about two kilometres of a dam and tidal water entering.
Mozaffar Hossain, another shrimp farmer, feared losing his entire harvest on his 70-bigha farm in Deluti Union of Khulna's Paikgachha Upazila.
Like Mozaffar, thousands of fish farmers of Koyra, Paikgacha, and Dacope upazilas of the coastal district are also now passing such a time.
According to the data of the District Fisheries Office, there are more than 38,800 shrimp farms in the district. From which 11937.75 tonnes of shrimp are produced annually.
Khulna District Fisheries Officer Joydeb Kumar Paul said most of the enclosure is under flood water caused by the cyclone. The amount will be known after the final calculation of damages.
While the extent of crop damage is still being assessed, initial reports indicate losses to vegetables, betel nut, mango, and litchi crops.
Uncertain harvest for paddy
Around 97.08% of Boro paddy harvesting has been completed in coastal 19 districts, and 100% of paddy harvesting has been completed in Haor areas.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture warns of potential damage to 15% of unharvested paddy across the country due to heavy rainfall.
Additionally, there are currently 38 thousand hectares of Aush paddy in the field. Summer maize is cultivated on 93 thousand hectares, sesame on 64 thousand hectares, groundnut on 7 thousand hectares, mung dal on 13 thousand hectares, chilli on 36 thousand hectares, vegetables on 3.36 lakh hectares, ginger on 12 thousand hectares, and turmeric on 26 thousand hectares.
Other crops at risk
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, stormy weather is expected to cause significant damage to ripe paddy, green vegetables, green chillies, summer melons, onions, and tomatoes.
Storms and heavy rains are impacting crops across thousands of hectares nationwide.
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Cyclone Remal has caused widespread devastation in Khulna and Bagerhat, crippling the fishing industry and threatening agricultural harvests.
However, the agriculture ministry believes that the rain will benefit maize, ginger, and turmeric.
According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 19 coastal districts have been affected by the cyclonic storm. One and a half lakh houses have been damaged, and about 37.58 lakh people have been affected. At least 10 deaths have been reported.
