SUPER CYCLONE SIDR 2007 Impacts and Strategies for ... - nirapad

Ministry of Food and Disaster Management
The mission estimated that 80% of the bagda, 60% of Golda and 10% of fish (mainly carp) had been
harvested prior to the cyclone. The field survey report confirmed that in highly affected upazilas about
60% of ghers had been affected as well as 85% of fish ponds. In moderately affected upazilas these
figures were estimated to 40 and 75% respectively. Physical damage to fish ponds and ghers were
limited and repairs would mainly fall in the category of annual maintenance and pond preparation for
next stocking. In households with limited labour (for example female headed households, the mission
proposed that needs would be linked to WFP cash and food for work programmes.
The mission report stated that the number of affected pond fish farms was estimated approximately
208,000, while 16,000 Bagda and 38,000 Golda farms were affected. Total estimated production loss
was about Bagda 2,120 MT, Golda 1,600 MT and carp 51,000 MT respectively.
Breakdown of key elements
• The coastal area is mainly famous for shrimp cultivation but mix culture of carp and shrimp is
well introduced in the area.
• Immediately after the rainy season, people cultivate shrimp and carp together. Alongside, they
start nursing of post larva of fisheries for the next season cultivation.
• The official reports of DoF stated that cyclone washed out some 5,721 metric tones (MT) of
fishes, 799 MT of shrimps and 20.53 million of fingerlings. The FAO mission estimated loss of
fishes and shrimp is much higher than the DoF official report.
• Equipments which valued to BDT 227.49 million also damaged during the cyclone.
• Both public and private infrastructure which costs of BDT (13+51.97) 64.97 million damaged as
well.
Estimation of cost
• A total of BDT 729.40 million losses calculated in the fisheries sector.
• As of December 2007, market price of one kg fish was BDT 40, shrimp BDT 200/kg and BDT
0.50/fingerling.
• The market price was used to calculate the total losses of fisheries. Cost of fishing equipments
and infrastructures also calculated following the standard market price.
Response
• A control room has been opened in the Directorate and a Focal Point has been assigned to collect
damage data on emergency basis;
• Control room also opened in the cyclone affected areas;
• Officer in the Directorate and at the District level are instructed to stay in their working station
cancelling their leaves;
• Two inspection teams has been formed with the membership of Director/Deputy Director level
officials to coordinate field level activities and detail rapid assessment of damages;
• Officers in the Directorate and at local level are working to assist the affected farmers of 6
districts in Barisal Division and Bagerhat district in Khulna Division;
• A team with the leadership of the Joint Secretary (fisheries) already visited the cyclone affected
areas and submitted their proposal for mid to long-term rehabilitation;
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