The ongoing flood in Chittagong have inflicted severe damage on the region’s aquaculture sector, resulting in losses estimated around $24.37 million. According to District Fisheries Officer Srivas Chandra, this figure is likely to rise as the full extent of the devastation becomes clearer. Fishermen and others involved in the sector are facing unprecedented hardships due to the flood’s impact.
Chandra revealed that due to this flood a total of 16,864 aquaculture ponds spanning 5,541 hectares in Chittagong have been severely affected. The floods have washed away approximately 16,595 metric tons of fish, along with 1.4 million various fish fry and 0.2 million shrimp fry. Additionally, infrastructure damage cost amounts to several hundred thousands.
One of the most significant losses has occurred at the Muhuri Project in Mirsarai, known as the largest aquaculture project in Bangladesh. This project, which supplies more than half of Chittagong’s fish, has seen its 6,000-acre reservoir completely devastated by the floodwaters. The natural fishery of the Halda River has also been affected, with large-sized Rohu fish dispersing into different water bodies.
Kamruzzaman Dulal, a farmer from Ichakhali Union, who was heavily invested in the project, shared his ordeal: “I had about 107 acres of fish farms, with an investment of $0.9 million. The floods have washed away all the fish, leaving me with nothing.”
Farmers across the region have reported similar losses, with total damages estimated to many many millions. Dulal, who has been involved in fish farming for eight years, described this as the worst disaster he has ever faced.
Reports from the District Fisheries Officer’s office indicate that the floods have also devastated fisheries in Mirsarai, Fatikchari, Hathazari, Raujan, Sitakunda, and other upazilas. In Mirsarai alone, the aquaculture sector has suffered losses amounting around $12 million. Fatikchari upazila follows with a reported loss of $2.52 million, while Hathazari upazila has incurred damages worth $1 million.
Fatikchari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury reported that floodwaters are entering localities after the Halda River’s dam broke in the Nazirhat area. Overflowing canals are further contributing to the flooding, exacerbating the situation for the local fisheries sector.
This widespread devastation highlights the urgent need for relief measures and support for the affected communities in Chittagong.
