At least 7,000 fish farms in Bagerhat have been washed away as heavy rainfall inundated thousands of homes and submerged low-lying areas, according to the Department of Fisheries
Local farmers said they suffered losses amounting to several crores of taka due to the heavy rainfall. But the exact amount of the losses could not be ascertained immediately.
District fisheries officer ASM Russell, however, said the victims are being provided consultations on necessary steps needed in this situation. Shrimp-cultivating areas like Fakirhat, Chitalmari, and Mollahat upazilas in Bagerhat district have been particularly hit hard. Farmers in Mongla, Rampal, and Morelganj upazilas have also incurred significant losses.
Fish farmer Noor Mohammad said, “Now was our time to harvest fish, but suddenly disaster struck. Approximately Tk10 lakh worth of fish in my three enclosures has been washed away.” Nasir Mia of Kahalpur village in Mollahat upazila said, “My two enclosures on 50 bighas of land and all surrounding enclosures, have been submerged. Fish worth crores of takas belonging to local people have been washed away.”
Muminul Haque Tulu, a farmer from Chitalmari Upazila, stated that fishing and vegetable farming are the primary sources of income for the area’s residents. “Many farmers rely on loans from banks and NGOs to fund their fish farming ventures. With the loss of their fish, they are facing severe financial hardship,” he said. He demanded that the government provide compensation to the affected farmers.