Khulna, Sep 26 (V7N)- Due to continuous heavy rains, large areas of Dumuria and Phultala upazilas of Khulna have been inundated. 8 thousand 250 fish enclosures of one hundred and three thousand hectares of land, crops of fields, several thousand residential houses, roads have been submerged in water. In all, the loss amount is about 100 crore taka. Marginal fish farmers of Bil Dakatiya have been the most affected. The fish farmers of Bill Dakatiya burned their foreheads as the fish in the area were swept away 

Dumuria Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Md. Abubakar Siddique said that due to continuous heavy rain for several days, 7500 fish enclosures of 3 thousand 36 hectares of land in Bill Dakatiya under Dumuria Upazila have been damaged. The precious prawns and white fish of the area were washed away in the water. The total loss to the fisheries sector in the Dumuria part of Bill Dakatiya will be estimated at Tk 45 crore. 

Md. Insad Ibn Amin, the agricultural officer of the same upazila, said that a large area of Bil Dakatiya has been flooded due to continuous heavy rains for several days. Agriculture dependent Rangpur, Gutudia, Raghunathpur, Dhamalia Unions of Dumuria upazila affected by bill dacoity have caused heavy loss in paddy and vegetable cultivation. Especially summer tomatoes have suffered the most damage. In total, the amount of erosion loss in the agricultural sector in the Bill Dakatiya part of the 5 unions of Dumuria upazila can be estimated as 35 crore taka. 

He said , the only demand of the marginal farmers is to make arrangements to remove the water from our fields. But at the upazila level there is no supply of irrigation equipment to the agriculture office. Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) deals with irrigation systems for farmers. But they have no office at upazila level. Upazila level activities are managed from the district level office. He said that marginal farmers would have benefited more if BADC activities were at the upazila level. Even if irrigation is not available, we are advising marginal farmers on what to do after their fields are drained.

Fultala Upazila Senior Fisheries Extension Officer Md. Salim Sultan said that 750 fish enclosures of 715 hectares of land have been damaged in Bill Dakatiya part of Fultala Upazila due to continuous heavy rains for several days. The precious shrimps and white fish of these enclosures have been washed away in the water. In the Dumuria section of Fultala, the total loss to the fisheries sector is estimated to be over 5.5 crore taka. 

He said, before heavy rains, we advise farmers to surround the enclosures with nets. We have already started the initial work of preparing the list of fish farmers who have been affected due to heavy rains, if any government assistance is provided in the future, the list will be verified through the upazila committee.

Agriculture officer of the same upazila Mosa Razia Sultana said that due to continuous rains for a few days, crops have been damaged in Bil Dakatiya part of Fultala upazila. Paddy and various types of vegetables are submerged in water. Out of 150 hectares of land in this area, 80 hectares of paddy and various types of vegetables have been damaged. 

Md. Mostafizur Rahman Mostak Khulna, one of the fish farmers of Bill Dakatiya Teligati Mauza said, "Brother, we who are fish farmers in Bill Dakatiya have burned our foreheads this year. Many people are so burnt that they cannot stand up straight. He said, out of 6 enclosures of my own 130 acres, 4 enclosures are submerged in water. About 8 crores worth of fish has been washed away. The remaining two enclosures have been protected by fencing with nets after fighting with the water. Not only mine but all of Bill Dakatiya's fish cages have been flooded this year. Fish worth more than 100 million rupees have been washed away. All the fish farmers in the area are worried. How will this damage be compensated? Stay away from any help from the government, no one even inquires about us. 

END/SDA/AJ