Eight days of torrential rainfall and hill runoff have caused an estimated Tk287.25 crore in damage to the fisheries and livestock sectors across Chattogram division, while floods have also devastated 44,793 hectares of cropland, affecting nearly 288,000 farmers, according to government estimates.
The Department of Fisheries reported losses of Tk210.10 crore after floodwaters inundated 23,610 ponds and other water bodies and 789 shrimp farms across 318 unions. The disaster washed away 6,830.26 tonnes of finfish, 975.48 tonnes of shrimp, 76.69 million fish fry, and 22.1 million shrimp post-larvae.
Chattogram district recorded the highest fisheries losses at Tk144.99 crore, followed by Cox's Bazar (Tk46.22 crore), Noakhali (Tk11.09 crore), Rangamati (Tk3.15 crore), Khagrachhari (Tk2.50 crore) and Bandarban (Tk2.14 crore).
Floodwaters submerged 5,420.72 hectares of ponds and 3,468.27 hectares of shrimp enclosures. Damage to embankments, sluice gates and other fisheries infrastructure was estimated at Tk11.84 crore, while fishing boats, nets and equipment were also affected.
Officials said most of the affected fish farmers are smallholders who depend on aquaculture for their livelihoods. A proposal seeking government support has already been submitted, although officials noted that compensation may not fully cover farmers' losses.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said continuous rainfall from 6 to 11 July damaged Aus paddy, Aman seedbeds, summer vegetables, fruit orchards, chilli fields and betel leaf plantations in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Noakhali.
Of the total damaged cropland, 24,596 hectares were in Noakhali, 15,986 hectares in Chattogram, and 4,211 hectares in Cox's Bazar, affecting 287,735 farmers. Field-level assessments are continuing before a proposal for government assistance is submitted.
The Department of Livestock Services estimated losses of Tk77.15 crore across 191 unions in 45 upazilas of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari.
The floods affected 223,390 cattle, 4,755 buffaloes, 160,087 goats, 29,212 sheep, 2.85 million chickens and 70,070 ducks. They also killed 71 cattle, 165 goats, 50 sheep, 158,600 chickens and 2,508 ducks, causing direct losses of Tk4.85 crore.
In addition, floodwaters submerged 10,480 acres of grazing land, damaged 4,756 livestock farms, and destroyed 910 tonnes of animal feed, 14,265 tonnes of straw and 9,129 tonnes of grass, significantly worsening feed shortages.
Livestock officials said no major disease outbreaks have been reported so far. Veterinary teams are continuing treatment, medicine distribution and vaccination campaigns, with efforts now focused on preventing post-flood diseases and supporting farmers until normal conditions return.
