Special Correspondent :
Cyclone Remal, which struck Bangladesh from May 26 to 27, has wreaked havoc across 20 districts, severely damaging the agricultural sector.
The cyclone has affected paddy, vegetables, fruits, betel leaves, fisheries, and livestock, resulting in losses estimated at Tk 6,880 crore.
At least 46 lakh people have been affected by Cyclone Remal, with 16 reported fatalities. The cyclone’s impact has also led to flooding in several coastal areas, causing these regions to become submerged.
In addition to the agricultural sector, the cyclone has damaged several roads, embankments, houses, and social institutions. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed by various ministries and agencies.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mohibbur Rahman addressed reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting on the cyclone’s damage held at the secretariat on Sunday.
He detailed the government’s coordinated response efforts and ongoing post-disaster activities.
“We have taken various activities to deal with the disaster in the last few days, coordinated with all government departments despite inclement weather situations. Now we are continuing the post-disaster activities,” the state minister said.
To date, the government has distributed Tk 5.75 crore in cash, 5,500 metric tonnes of rice, 9,000 packets of dry food, 200 bundles of GI sheets, Tk 2.45 crore for cattle fodder, and Tk 2.45 crore for baby food to victims in 19 districts.
Junior minister also highlighted the involvement of various government departments, agencies, local administrations, and local and international voluntary organizations, as well as political leaders, including those from the Awami League and its affiliated organizations, in providing relief.
The state minister noted that the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief is not solely responsible for all aspects of the cyclone’s aftermath. Various ministries and agencies will continue to assess the damage within their jurisdictions and undertake necessary reconstruction, renovation, or repair efforts.
On June 30, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Kalapara in Patuakhali to meet with cyclone-affected residents and distribute relief materials.
Meanwhile, floods have also struck the districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, and Dinajpur in recent days. In response, the government has distributed Tk 20 lakh in cash, 500 tonnes of rice, Tk 10 lakh for cattle fodder, and Tk 10 lakh for baby food to support flood victims in Sylhet district.
In the Sunamganj district, Tk 15 lakh in cash, Tk 5 lakh for cow food, and Tk 5 lakh for baby food have been distributed. Additionally, Tk 15 lakh in cash and Tk 3 lakh for dry and other food items have been allocated for the Dinajpur district.
According to the ministries of agriculture, fisheries, and livestock, a total of 48 districts across Bangladesh have borne the brunt of Cyclone Remal’s wrath.
Severely affected regions include the coastal Barisal division, comprising Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Patuakhali, Barguna, and Bhola.
The Khulna division, including Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, and Narail, and the Chattogram region, including Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, and Cox’s Bazar, have also been significantly impacted. Preliminary assessments by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) indicate that more than 0.18 million hectares out of the total 1.43 million hectares of cultivated land have been adversely affected by Cyclone Remal.
The cyclone has wreaked havoc on various crops that includes Aus seedbed on 10,843 hectares, T-Aus on 21,434 hectares, Boro on 7,730 hectares, summer vegetables on 52,190 hectares, jute on 29,749 hectares, sesame on 7,536 hectares, mung bean on 3,507 hectares, and betel leaf on 7,058 hectares.
Additionally, mango orchards on 4,708 hectares, litchi on 1,575 hectares, and banana on 7,613 hectares have suffered extensive damage. The Barishal region has been particularly hard hit, with farmers losing crops on 54,564 hectares.
This includes Aus seedbed on 9,101 hectares, T-Aus on 17,010 hectares, mung bean on 2,419 hectares, vegetables on 17,247 hectares, and betel leaf on 3,473 hectares. The DAE estimates that 0.173 million farmers have been affected by the cyclone and the subsequent heavy rains.
According to sources from the Fisheries Ministry, a total of 75,500 shrimp, fish, and crab farms have been affected, with 45,000 of these farms suffering severe damage. This has resulted in an estimated loss of Tk 6.97 billion for farm owners.
dditionally, the Department of Livestock Service reports that approximately 170,000 cows, goats, buffaloes, and sheep, along with 1 million chickens and ducks, have been significantly impacted in the coastal districts.
In a related development, the Department of Forest has recovered the bodies of 127 deer and four pigs over the past few days.