Sitrang damages Tk 347cr crops

Staff Reporter :
The cyclone Sitrang that swept over the country last week has damaged 10,200 hectares of cropland in 31 districts across the country. In terms of money, the amount of this loss is about Tk 350 crore.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) made the disclosure to the press in Dhaka on Monday.
As many as 1.5 lakh farmers had to bear the brunt of the cyclonic storm.
Of the damaged crops – 5,600 hectares were of Aman, 2,800 hectares of different vegetables, and 88 hectares were of betel leaves.
But unofficially, the real damage of crops would be more than on one lakh hectare of lands.
The DAE will start estimating the final damage cost to be estimated after the water recession.
Fisheries sector faced a 2-3 foot high tidal surge that damaged resources worth about Tk 27 crore, according to the primary report of the DAE.
Tidal surge washed away more than 12,000 ponds and fish enclosures having about 18 tonnes of fishes and 71 lakh fry; also 55 fishing boats and trawlers were reported capsized; besides, an infrastructure damage worth about Tk 2.27 crore occurred. No death of fisherman or missing was reported.
Due to fish and fry floated away, fisheries farmers in the region have lost almost everything. DAE reported the most destruction in the fisheries sector in Barishal, Bhola, and Patuakhali districts.
According to sources at the Department of Livestock Resource Services (DoLS), cattle and domestic animals were seriously affected. About 34,000 cows, 10,000 buffaloes, 2,000 goats, about 2.5 lakh hens and 90,000 ducks were affected in 209 unions in 42 upazilas in the region. This information excluded cases of Jhalakathi District.
Of these livestock resources, about 17,000 hens and 2,500 ducks, over 250 bufalloes, 42 cows, 130 goats, and 80 sheep died. Besides, about 10,000 ha forests were flooded mostly in Bhola District. The primary damage cost was estimated at about 3.25 crore. The real damage cost will be more.
DoLS’ Divisional Director Dr. Md Abdus Sabur said, field level veterinary officials have started vaccination activities.
Forest Officer Md Harun said, their teams are working to estimate forestry damages at the field level.
About 2.25 lakh ha forests were created across 710 kilometre coastal areas of the country.