TDS Desk:

Over 64,000 cattle and 23 lakh poultry were drowned in water in six upazilas of Feni due to the ongoing flood, according to the District Livestock Department.

The total loss in the livestock sector in that district amounts to Tk391.11 crore, said a report signed by District Livestock Officer Md Mozammel Haque.

Feni Sadar upazila Livestock Officer Md Shahidul Islam Khokon said, “There has been a huge loss in the livestock sector in Feni which will take a long time to recover. The people of Feni will be deprived of not only meat, but also milk and eggs.

“At present, there is an extreme shortage of cow-fodder. Many animals are dying due to lack of food. We have discussed with the officers and ascertained the extent of the damage. The amount of damage may increase further.”

According to the report of the Feni District Livestock Department, 38,731 cows, 129 buffaloes, 15,604 goats and 356 sheep have died in 35 flood affected unions in six upazilas. Also, 17,31,810 chickens and 1,96,472 ducks have died. Total loss of dead animals amounts to Tk302.67 crore.

The report also states that 1,992 cattle farms have suffered a loss of Tk13.17 crore and 1,623 poultry farms have suffered a loss of Tk10.97 crore due to the flood.

In addition, 3,950 tonnes of animal feed was destroyed with a market value of Tk23.25 crore.

Moreover, 2,550 tonnes of hay and 1,84,210 tonnes of grass were destroyed, and 285 acres of pasture land were flooded.