Several districts of Northern-Eastern districts of the country including Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Brahmanbaria, Cumilla, Feni, Noakhali, Khagrachhari, Chattogram experienced severe flood in country’s history in August in this year.
The people of the area suffered a lot and houses, crops and cropland were affected by the flood as ‘India opened’ gates of barrage sans any declaration. At present, the victimized people started to return to their normal life in post-flood after some infrastructural renovation. But it seems that the people of the districts are hopeless after losing their all means of livelihood.
A source of Agriculture Ministry made the disclosure. The ministry informed that the recent flood affected crops and cropland in a total of 23 districts.
The source added that crops are cultivated in 17 lakh 72 thousand 880 hectares of land in these districts. Out of this, the crops of 3 lakh 72 thousand 736 hectares of land were affected. Presently, at least 20 percent of the cropland of the districts has been affected by the recent floods.
The affected cropland includes- some 74 thousand 116 hectares Aush, Ropa Aman 2 Lakh 35 thousand 667 hectares, Bona Amon 36 thousand 248 hectares, Ropa Amon Bijtola 44 thousand 991 hectares.
Besides, vegetables 15 thousand 561 hectares, ginger 161 hectares, turmeric 246 hectares, sugarcane 657 hectares, betel nut 647 hectares, fruit garden 11 thousand 800 hectares, pepper 127 hectares, watermelon 56 hectares, papaya 23 hectares, corn three hectares, onion one hectare and summer tomato 15 hectares were also affected by the flood. In total, vegetables of some 57 thousand 822 hectares were affected by the floods. So far, at least Tk 3,346 crore financial loss in the agriculture sector exceeded.
“The latest floods have affected 23 districts in Bangladesh. The financial losses from this flood stood at Tk 3,346 crore,” Dr Moloy Chowdhury, additional secretary, ministry of agriculture, told The South Asian Times over phone.
When asked, how this loss can be recovered, he declined to make any comment on it saying that he will talk on the issue taking the secretary’s permission.
According to the information of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, so far a total of Tk 1 thousand 590 crore 36 lakh estimated loss in the fisheries and livestock sector.
Agriculture experts said that the people of Feni, Noakhali and Cumilla did not experience such a flood in their history. The cropland of the area affected, which produced over 20 lakh tones.
Former agriculture secretary and agriculture expert Anwar Farooq told The South Asian Times, “It is not possible to give a specific number of the amount of damage at this moment. But it can be said, the flood caused a loss of several thousand crores of Taka.
Recently at a meeting with Chinese ambassador, he said, “It has been proposed to form a joint committee in increasing cooperation for water management. The river management, flood prevention and infrastructure projects can be worked together through the joint committee.
Anwar Farooq also added that the cooperation of friendly countries like China is necessary to deal with environmental protection and climate change.
