500 shrimp enclosures washed away in Satkhira

SATKHIRA, Apr 06 (UNB): Around 500 shrimp enclosures were washed away when a coastal embankment collapsed in Ashashuni upazila of Satkhira district, causing a loss of Tk 135 million (13.50 crore).

Some 4,500 bighas of land in eight villages of the upazila were flooded following the collapse of the coastal embankment on March 31, said Ashashuni Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Krishna Rani.

According to the district fisheries department, this caused an estimated loss of Tk 135 million (13.50 crore) while the affected fish farmers claimed the actual loss was nearly double that amount.

The embankment, which was meant to protect the coast from the Kholpetua River, broke in the Bichat area of Ashashuni upazila on the Eid day, inundating the enclosures.

Besides, twenty hectares of Boro paddy fields and about 1.5 hectares of vegetable crops were damaged while nearly 600 homes were destroyed.

Later, a temporary ring embankment was constructed with modern geo-tubes, preventing further intrusion of saline water from the Kholpetua River into nearby areas.

This has brought some relief to residents. However, the affected people demanded immediate construction of a permanent and sustainable embankment and long-term erosion prevention measures.

Local authorities are currently preparing a list of the affected households by visiting the impacted areas, said UNO.

Meanwhile, Khulna Divisional Commissioner's office, army, navy, coast guard and political parties distributed relief to the affected people in the area.

On March 31, a 150-foot stretch of the coastal embankment of Bangladesh Power Development Board was devoured by the Kholpetua River near the government primary school in Bichat village of Ashashuni upazila of the district.

As a result, villages including Bichat, Ballavpur, Anulia, Noyakhali, Chechua, and Kakboshia in Anulia Union were submerged. Among them, Noyakhali village was completely flooded.