Thousands of fishing boats have not returned to Banskhali, litchi farmers are worried

The Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) has hoisted 1 warning flag in the coastal unions of Banskhali following the issuance of 8-distress signal due to cyclone ‘Mokha’ in the Bay of Bengal.

The coastal Chambal, Sheikh Kheel and Chanua areas of Banshkhali can be seen, there is no impact of the cyclone on the general public yet.

As an advance preparation for the cyclone, 110 shelters have been created in Banshkhali to shelter around 85,000 people. All the officials have been instructed to stay in their respective centers.

On behalf of the upazila administration, public representatives and 1,420 volunteers of Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) of coastal 10 unions of Banshkhali are ready.

Meanwhile, according to the sources of Upazila Agriculture Directorate, it can be seen that even though the season’s boro paddy harvest is over, the farmers are worried about the litchi and mangoes on most of the trees due to the fear of spoiling them due to rain and wind.

Meanwhile, upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Khondkar Mahmudul Hasan spoke to the owners and fishermen of the fishing boat owners’ association of the coastal Chambal, Shekerkhil and Chanua areas on Friday and urged them to bring the fishermen back to the coast safely.

Kalipur of Banskhali and litchi farmers expatriates of Bailchari. Zafar and Mahmudul Rahman said that the litchi season is now full but at the moment most of the litchi in the field are on the trees. Due to lack of people it is not possible to grow litchi from trees. At the moment there will be damage if it rains and winds.

Amin Ullah, the owner of a fishing boat in Chambal area, said, “Fishing in the sea will stop after a few days. On top of that, thousands of fishermen on fishing boats have not returned despite the risk due to the cyclone. But although most of the fishing boats are at sea, many have started to return.”

Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) Upazila Team Leader Md. Chagir said, 1,420 volunteers of CPP are ready in 10 coastal unions of Banskhali who are already carrying out campaigning in coordination with the administration.

Chanua Union Chairman M. Harunur Rashid said, “Mine is the most coastal union in Banshkhali. All efforts are being made for the safety of the people here but most of the fishing boats from the sea have not returned to the shore yet.”

On the other hand, Upazila Agriculture Officer Abu Salek said, “Boro paddy cutting in Banshkhali has been completed 100%. All harvestable vegetables are asked to be removed. Mangoes and litchis are said to be collected when they are ripe. We are all monitoring the situation and are with the farmers. This time 2,550 hectares of summer vegetables have been produced in Banshkhali.

Banskhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saiduzzaman Chowdhury said that as an advance preparation for the cyclone ‘Mokha’ created in the Bay of Bengal, shelters, 1,420 volunteers of CPP, administrative officials have been formed and directions have been given. He also said that instructions have been given in the disaster management meeting of the administration to reduce the loss of life and crops in case of cyclone Mokha.