Dubla fish drying village loses Tk 85 lakh due to cyclone Midhili

Bagerhat Correspondent :

A cyclonic storm “Midhily” swept over the Bay of Bengal and its adjacent areas including Dubla Fish drying village comprising a number islands of Sundarbans situated on the bank of the Bay of Bengal on Thursday and Friday last.

As a result, the Dubla fish drying village experienced 2 day-long incessant and torrential rains along with gusty wind, caused to a heavy damages to the dried, half dried and raw fish of different spices worth about Tk.85 lakh, according to the opinion of the fishermen, dry fish trades and forest department.

Abu Taher Shaikh, a fisherman of Dubla fish drying village told, we incurred heavy loss due to two days’ long sudden rains. A huge quantity of fish hanged with scaffolds for drying in the sunlight was rotten.

On the other hand, a good quantity of dried fish was also damaged and in some cases dried fish was swept away by gusty wind and mixed with sands.

Abu Hanif, a trader of dry fish told, a huge quantities of dried fish (Shuki) laying on the sandy lands of the sea were completely damaged by the incessant rain and cyclonic storm.

He added, due to the inclement weather the dry fish traders incurred a heavy loss.

We had to a face a great loss just with the very beginning of fish drying season (Shutki Mausum). He added, it is very difficult to make up the loss.

Kazi Mohammad Nurl Karim, DFO (Divisional Forest Office) of the Eastern Division of Sundarbans told, following the influence of the cyclonic storm “Midhily” fishermen and dry fish traders of Dubla Fish Drying village incurred a loss.

On the other hand, according to the assessment of the Forest Officer-in-charge of Dubla dry fish village, those who are associated with Shutki (dried fish) business incurred a loss of Tk. 80 lakh to Tk.85 lakh.

He assumed, as the natural calamity (Midhily) happened at the beginning of Shutki (dry fish) season will not affect the target of the earning of revenue from this sector.

If the weather is favourable in future fishermen and dry fish traders will be able to make up their losses, claimed by the officer.