UNB, Khulna:

Days of continuous rainfall have led to severe waterlogging in the low-lying areas of Dumuria and Phultala upazilas in Khulna, flooding 8,250 fish enclosures and 3.15 hectares of cropland. Farmers are facing huge financial losses, with damages estimated at Tk 100 crore.

In Dumuria, around 7,500 fish enclosures in the Beel Dakatia area have been completely washed away by the relentless rain, causing an estimated loss of Tk 45 crore, according to Abu Bakar Siddique, Senior Fisheries Officer of Dumuria upazila.

The agricultural sector has also been severely affected. Insad Ibne Amin, Dumuria Upazila Agriculture Officer, reported that vast tracts of land in Rangpur, Gutudia, Raghunathpur, and Dhamalia unions have been submerged, devastating vegetable and paddy fields. Farmers in the area are expected to suffer losses of Tk 35 crore due to the damage to crops, Amin said, adding that tomato fields have also been affected.

Farmers have been advised to drain water from their fields to mitigate further damage.

Meanwhile, in Phultala upazila, 750 fish enclosures have been washed away by the heavy rain, leading to losses amounting to Tk 5.5 crore. Selim Sultan, Senior Fisheries Officer of Phultala upazila, said they have advised fish farmers to secure their enclosures with nets to prevent further damage.

Razia Sultana, Phultala Agriculture Officer, reported that 80 hectares of paddy and other crops have been damaged by the rainfall in the area.

Local authorities are already compiling a list of affected farmers, and financial assistance may be provided if the government takes steps to address the losses, officials said.

Mostafizur Rahman Mostak, a fish farmer from Teligati Mouja in Beel Dakatia, described the devastating impact of the rains on his livelihood. Of the six fish enclosures he manages, four have been washed away, causing a loss of Tk 8 crore, Mostak said.