June 3 (V7N Khulna)- The shrimp industry in Khulna has incurred a loss of Tk323.65 crore due to Cyclone Remal, potentially halving this year’s shrimp production and affecting exports.

Shrimp farming primarily occurs in three districts in the southwestern part of the division.

The Department of Fisheries reported that 9,115 enclosures in Khulna, 27,500 in Bagerhat, and 3,900 in Satkhira were submerged by the cyclone, leading to an initial estimated loss of Tk332 crore.

Khulna Divisional Fisheries Officer Md Jahangir Alam stated that Cyclone Remal damaged 53,171 ponds, enclosures, and crab farms across 81 unions in Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira, affecting 35,555 hectares and resulting in a total loss of Tk722.17 crore.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira produced about 125,000 tons of shrimp, generating Tk2,412 crore in exports.

During visits to affected areas in Khulna, many fishermen were seen returning empty-handed.

Aminur Sardar, a fish enclosure trader in the Soladana area of Paikgasa upazila, reported losing shrimp worth Tk12-15 lakh due to the cyclone.

Golam Kibria Ripon, general secretary of the Khulna Divisional Fry Traders Association, stated that around 80% of the region’s enclosures were destroyed by the cyclone.

Cyclone Remal, which made landfall in Bangladesh’s coastal area on Monday, has claimed 10 lives so far.

Additionally, 150,457 houses were damaged, with 35,483 fully destroyed, affecting 19 districts including Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Barishal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna, Bhola, Feni, Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Narail, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, and Jessore.

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