Amphan: Tk120cr worth mango loss predicted in Rajshahi
According to the farmers, some 15 to 20 percent of the mangoes have fallen off the trees
An extensive damage of approximately Tk120 crore has been anticipated for mango business in Rajshahi since cyclone Amphan stormed through the orchards.
According to the farmers, some 15 to 20 percent of the mangoes have fallen off the trees, Hamidul Haque, deputy commissioner of Rajshahi told The Business Standard.
"No casualty was reported in the district," he said, adding that "The brittle mud huts of different villages and char areas were destroyed."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"Moreover, the electricity service has been snapped ever since, as fallen tree branches damaged the wires and polls, he added.
Md Shamsul Haque, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Rajshahi, said, Bagha and Charghat upazilas have been the hardest hit areas of the district.
According to mango farmers, this will add to the woes, who were already worried over coronavirus impact on mango transportation and its marketing.
Farmer Altaf Hossain Badshah said, "On an average, a mound of mangoes have fallen off from each of my 1,200 trees, which amounts for the 25 to 30 percent of the total orchard."
Another Farmer Abdur Razzak said, "Almost half of the mangoes have fallen off my orchard during the storm."
Shamsul Islam further added that, "The Irri paddy of the district has also been damaged, since most of the farmers could not manage to harvest."
Moreover, the betel leaves gardens have experienced significant damage due to the storm.
According to Rajshahi Met office, it rained 84 millilitres in last 24 hours and the storm reached its maximum sustained wind speed of 60 kmph at 2:55am in the morning.
