Continuous rains and floods have caused major damage to the agricultural sector in Chittagong. There has been extensive damage to Aush paddy, Aman seedbeds and summer vegetables. Almost all of the 16 upazilas of the district, including the metropolis, have been damaged to some extent. At the same time, about 20,000 tube wells have been damaged by the flood water. As a result, although the water has receded, there has been an acute shortage of food and clean water in the affected areas. This has threatened public health.
According to the preliminary estimates of the Department of Agricultural Extension, more than 15,911 hectares of agricultural land, including Aush paddy, Aman seedbeds and summer vegetables, have been damaged. The financial loss is estimated to be more than Tk 400 crore. Of this, the sector-wise loss is about Tk 120 crore for Aush paddy, about Tk 250 crore for summer vegetables and Tk 30 to 40 crore for Aman seedbeds and replanting.
Vegetable and Aush paddy farmers have suffered the most losses. In addition, the cost of production for farmers will also increase as they have to prepare new seedbeds for Aman. However, this estimate is not final. Flood water still remains in many places in low-lying areas. The relevant authorities have said that a final damage estimate will be released after a re-survey at the field level once the water has completely receded.
According to the initial report of the Department of Agricultural Extension, 9,43.5 hectares of Aush paddy, 960.66 hectares of Aman seedbeds and 5,907 hectares of summer vegetables have been damaged in the district due to heavy rains. In total, the amount of damaged agricultural land is more than 15,911 hectares.
The most damage to Aush paddy has been reported in Banshkhali, Sandwip, Chandanaish, Fatikchhari, Mirsarai and Satkania upazilas. Of these, almost the entire Aush plantation has been damaged in Chandanaish. 2,320 hectares of Aush paddy have been damaged in Banshkhali, 1,000 hectares in Sandwip and 920 hectares in Satkania.
The most damage to Aman seedbeds has been reported in Fatikchhari, Lohagara, Raozan, Rangunia and Satkania. Agriculture officials say that this damage to seedbeds at the beginning of the season could have a negative impact on future paddy production. Many farmers will have to prepare new seedbeds, which will also increase production costs.
The damage to summer vegetables is also worrying. The most damage has been done in Fatikchhari, Banshkhali, Sandwip, Satkania, Chandanaish and Patiya upazilas. In Banshkhali alone, 1,250 hectares of vegetable fields have been damaged and 924 hectares in Fatikchhari. In addition, 600 hectares of summer vegetables have been damaged in Sandwip, 761 hectares in Satkania and 850 hectares in Chandanaish.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Apru Marma, said, “The continuous rains for several days have caused extensive damage to rice and vegetables as water accumulated in low-lying areas. Trees have rotted in many fields due to the delay in water draining. Vegetable farmers in particular have faced the most financial losses.”
Meanwhile, in Satkania, Banshkhali and Chandanaish upazilas, at least 20,000 tubewells and 5,694 toilets have been damaged by floodwaters, along with cropland, roads and houses. The Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) said that 12,110 tubewells in the three upazilas were completely damaged and 7,851 were partially damaged. These tubewells include both government and private tubewells.
The affected people said that thousands of tube wells have become useless due to flood water, mudslides and landslides. As a result, thousands of people are facing a shortage of clean water. At the same time, the risk of water-borne diseases has also increased in these upazilas.
Nearly 300,000 people have been affected by floods and landslides in 17 unions of Satkania Upazila. 7,127 tube wells and 2,156 toilets have been damaged.
There was also extensive damage in 14 unions of Banshkhali upazila. About 300,000 people were affected, as well as 8,026 tubewells and 2,427 toilets. In many areas of the upazila, tubewells have been submerged under water and mud and contaminated water have entered, rendering them unusable.
On the other hand, about 200,000 people have been affected in eight unions of Chandanaish Upazila. 4,808 tubewells and 1,066 toilets have been damaged there. Locals complain that even though the flood waters have receded, most of the tubewells are still producing murky and foul-smelling water. As a result, many families are forced to collect drinking water from far away places.
Former civil surgeon of Chittagong, Khurshid Jamil, said that if the water in tube wells is contaminated after the flood, the risk of various water-borne diseases including diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis increases. Therefore, it is important to disinfect the damaged tube wells, make necessary repairs and install new tube wells, as well as ensure a quick supply of safe water to the affected areas.
Palash Chandra Das, Executive Engineer of the Department of Public Health Engineering, Chittagong District, said that an inventory of the damage has been prepared and necessary measures have been taken on an urgent basis. The concerned authorities are working to restore the completely damaged tube wells, repair the partially damaged ones and ensure safe water supply to the affected people.
