Khulna region has been sunny since morning (October 25, 2022) with occasional clouds in the sky. However, many roads are still under water due to yesterday's heavy rain brought on by Cyclone Sitrang.

It was initially feared that the heavy rain and storm would cause extensive damage to Aman paddy and fish culture in the district.

However, Joydeb Kumar Pal, fisheries officer of Khulna, said that he is yet to hear news of any heavy damage to fish cultivation in the area.

"The fish enclosures have not sustained much damage, despite some areas' elevated water levels," he added.

Farmer Pabitra Roy from Khulshi Bunia village in Batiaghata upazila said, "Compared to what I dreaded, there is not much damage. The fish enclosures suffered no harm."

Khulna on Tuesday, October 25, 2022. Photo: Star/ Dipankar Roy

"But if it had rained for few more hours everything would have submerged," he said.

Inshad Ibn Amin, agriculture officer of Dumuria upazila in Khulna, said that there is initially no report of significant damage.

"The first phase of the work to collect data has begun. Field-level agricultural officials are working to gather information," he said.

Although there is not much damage to Aman paddy, he added, "there, is a possibility of damage to vegetable produces."

MD Hafizur Rahman, deputy director of Khulna agricultural extension department, said that since the monsoon has come later this year and Aman paddy has been planted almost a month later than usual, the current period of Aman is called the "vegetative stage".
"That is why there is not much risk of damage," he said.

"Our officers and staff are working in order to assess the damage," he added.