Cyclone Remal: Tk245 cr loss incurred in Khulna fisheries

Cyclone Rimal's onslaught caused the coastal localities to be flooded by high tide and tidal water breaking the dam. As a result, at least 3,600 ponds and 9,115 fish, crabs and shrimps of Khulna enclosures (gher) have been washed away.

The countrys fisheries and livestock sector have incurred loss of around Tk245 crore in cyclonic storm Remal in Khulna, according to the statement of the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and Department of Livestock Services (DLS) under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

According to the Fisheries Office, among the 9 upazilas of Khulna, Koira, Paikgacha, Dakop, Batiaghata, Dumuria and Rupsa - the fishermen of 38 unions of these 6 upazilas have suffered the most due to the impact of Cyclone Remal. A total od 3,600 ponds of 355.30 hectares of land and 9,115 enclosures of 10,223.75 hectares of land were damaged by the storm. Also 1,356 crab farms of 1,590 hectares of land have been damaged.

According to the information of the District Fisheries Office, the total loss of fishery resources in this storm is 3,078 metric tons of fish worth Tk66.25 crore, 2,564 metric tons of shrimp worth Tk114.68 crore, 636 metric tons of fish fry worth Tk20 crore, 102.20 metric tons of crab worth Tk18.63 crore, 270 metric tons of PL worth Tk9.50 crore, 20 boats/trawlers/vessels worth Tk20 lakh and infrastructure of Tk16.11 crore were damaged.

Khulna District Fisheries Officer Joydeb Paul said, "Due to the impact of Cyclone Remal, fishermen in Khulna have suffered huge losses."