Floods cause Tk287.25cr losses to fisheries, livestock in Chattogram division
Nearly 44,800 hectares of cropland damaged, affecting 287,735 farmers
Floods triggered by eight days of heavy rainfall and consequent hill runoff have caused Tk287.25 crore in losses to the fisheries and livestock sectors in Chattogram division, while 44,793 hectares of crops have been damaged, affecting 287,735 farmers, according to government estimates.
The Department of Fisheries said the fisheries sector suffered losses of Tk210.10 crore after floodwaters inundated 23,610 ponds and water bodies and 789 shrimp farms across 318 unions. The floods washed away 6,830.26 tonnes of finfish, 975.48 tonnes of shrimp, 76.69 million fish fry and 22.1 million shrimp post-larvae.
Chattogram recorded the highest fisheries losses at Tk144.99 crore, including Tk51.63 crore in Banshkhali, Tk37.24 crore in Satkania and Tk15.77 crore in Chandanaish. Losses were estimated at Tk46.22 crore in Cox's Bazar, Tk11.09 crore in Noakhali, Tk3.15 crore in Rangamati, Tk2.50 crore in Khagrachhari and Tk2.14 crore in Bandarban.
Floodwaters submerged 5,420.72 hectares of ponds and 3,468.27 hectares of shrimp enclosures. Damage to embankments, sluice gates and other infrastructure amounted to Tk11.84 crore, while fishing nets, boats and other equipment were also damaged.
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Fisheries Department's Chattogram Director Md Anwar Hossain said most affected fish farmers were smallholders whose livelihoods depended on aquaculture. A proposal seeking government incentives has already been submitted, although assistance may not fully offset farmers' investments.
Crops damaged in three districts
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), continuous rainfall between 6 and 11 July damaged Aus paddy, Aman seedbeds, summer vegetables, fruit orchards, chilli fields and betel leaf plantations in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Noakhali.
Of the 44,793 hectares of damaged cropland, 24,596 hectares were in Noakhali, 15,986 hectares in Chattogram and 4,211 hectares in Cox's Bazar. The flooding affected 287,735 farmers.
DAE Additional Director Mohammad Ali Jinnah said field-level verification of losses is underway before a proposal for government incentives is submitted.
Livestock sector loses Tk77.15 crore
The Department of Livestock Services estimated losses at Tk77.15 crore across 191 unions in 45 upazilas of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari.
Floodwaters affected 223,390 cattle, 4,755 buffaloes, 160,087 goats, 29,212 sheep, 2.85 million chickens and 70,070 ducks, while killing 71 cattle, 165 goats, 50 sheep, 158,600 chickens and 2,508 ducks, causing direct losses of Tk4.85 crore.
The floods also inundated 10,480 acres of grazing land, damaged 4,756 farms, and destroyed 910 tonnes of animal feed worth Tk5.18 crore, 14,265 tonnes of straw worth Tk21.57 crore and 9,129 tonnes of grass worth Tk8.26 crore.
Divisional Livestock Director Md Atiyar Rahman said no major disease outbreaks had been reported so far, with veterinary teams continuing treatment, medicine distribution and vaccination campaigns.
He said the immediate challenge was preventing post-flood diseases and addressing feed shortages after grazing land was submerged. Farmers have been advised to cultivate Napier grass and use silage once floodwaters recede, while limited feed assistance is being provided to the worst-affected livestock farmers.
