Livestock damage exceeds Tk2,000cr due to floods

The ongoing floods across twelve districts have caused irreparable damage worth Tk2000 crore to livestock, poultry, animal feed, fish and infrastructure, said Farida Akhtar, adviser for Fisheries and Livestock to the interim government. 

"The fisheries sector alone suffered damage worth Tk1,590.36 crore in the ongoing floods affecting 86 upazilas across the Chattogram, Sylhet, and Khulna divisions," she said at a press conference organised by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock today (25 August). 

The number of affected ponds, reservoirs, and farms is 180,899, and the quantity of damaged fish and shrimp is 90,768 metric tons, with 3,746 million fish fry and post-larvae shrimp also affected along with significant infrastructure damage, Farida said.

Moreover, she said, livestock sectors have been affected, destroying cattle farms, poultry feed, and other animal feeds in the 86 upazilas of the twelve districts. 

Farida said information on damages worth more than Tk411 crore in the livestock sector alone has been received.

"The sudden floods have caused significant damage to life and property. The flood water has washed away many livestock," the adviser said. 

She announced three steps to recover from the damage in the livestock sector. 

"Emergency animal feed will be supplied and distributed, vaccinations will be given to prevent diseases in cattle and poultry, and grass will be distributed," she said. 

The adviser also said measures will be taken to rehabilitate affected fish farmers with easy-term loans, necessary infrastructure support to secure fish farms, funds to distribute fry in flood-affected areas through open water release activities, improved flood forecasting and warning systems, and training and awareness programs for fish farmers to cope with post-flood conditions.