September 15, 2010

Tidal surge destroys Bangladesh aquaculture site

The Water Development Board's (WDB) embankment in Bagerhat, Bangladesh has collapsed due to a tidal surge, which has consequently washed away nearby villages and over 200 shrimp and fish enclosures into the Bhairab River.

Currently, only local volunteers are at the site attempting to repair the dyke.

Sheikh Shahidul Islam, president of Radha Ballab Agricultural Cooperative Association says there are around 1400 acres of land which have been affected in the area. With almost a thousand people being stranded, owners of shrimp and fish enclosures are likely to suffer a loss of up to US$600,000.

A local farmer, Sheikh Sohrab, said that his family could not prepare food as his house was completely submerged and that the tidal water had also destroyed all of his fish enclosures.

WDB Executive Engineer, Bazlur Rashid, says that employees at the company will help local people to try to repair the damaged embankment, of which he claims only 20 metres has collapsed.

However, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) says that water levels are likely to continue to rise over the next couple of days.

Meanwhile the districts fisheries officer, Bazlur Rashid, is preparing a list of affected fish farmers in the area, with estimated damages thought to be in the millions.

WDB executive engineer, Sujoy Chakma, said a US$40,000,000 proposal had been submitted to the Water Resources Ministry to protect the river banks in the region, which "would have protected the entire area."