Photo : A paddy field which was inundated by rain water in Sonadogi village in Bhola sadar
Crops worth about Tk 80 crore, including transplanted Aman paddy, were completely damaged in Bhola district due to the effects of torrential rain and the cyclonic storm Midhili.
Faruque Dalal, a 50-year-old paddy grower in Sondogi village of Bhola, informed this correspondent that he cultivated Aman paddy on five acres of land this season. However, he fears that about 20 percent of the paddy, nearing the ripening stage, may be totally damaged when the water recedes from the land.
Some Robi crops and vegetable growers in Vedhuria union of Bhola sadar mentioned that most of the Robi crops and vegetable crops will be damaged due to stagnant water in the crop lands.
During a visit to Modhupur Char in the Meghna River, it was found that most of the three thousand acres of local Aman paddy were inundated by the tidal surge.
At the time, many farmers expressed that due to the lack of flood protection embankments, crop lands in this char are usually affected several times each year.
Hasan Warishul Kabir, Deputy Director of the Agriculture Extension Department in Bhola, stated that crops on a total of 4321 hectares of land, with a targeted production of about 10 thousand metric tons and valued at about Tk 80 crore, were completely damaged in the district due to the effects of cyclonic storm Midhili and the heavy rainfall. He added that he reported the situation to the director-general's office and requested assistance for the affected farmers.
The damaged crops include transplanted Aman paddy, Khaseri pulse, Moshur pulse, Mustard, and betel leaf.
Messenger/Kamal/Nargis
