Cyclone Bulbul causes huge damage to crops in Bhola

Cyclone Bulbul has taken a heavy toll on crops in Bhola.

The heavy rain and gusty wind caused a damage to 57,187 hectares of cropland in the district.

Most of the fields are of Aman paddy and khesari (one kind of pulse).

According to Bhola Agricultural Extension Department, around 53,783 hectares out of 1,79,280 hectares of Aman paddy fields have been damaged.

On the other hand, 90 percent of Khesari, cultivated on 536 hectares of land, has suffered the damage.

Besides, around 90 percent of winter vegetables on 2,742 hectares of land and 24 percent of betel leaves on 134 hectares may have been damaged, according to the department.

Siraj Uddin, a farmer of Bhelumia Union of Bhola Sadar, told the Business Standard, "Most of the Aman paddies have been submerged."

Binay Krishna, deputy director of the Agricultural Extension Department, said, "We have told the farmers to drain out the water from the paddy fields immediately."

Besides, sub-assistant agriculture officers were also giving various instructions to the farmers, he said.

A detailed report on the damages caused by cyclone Bulbul would be published within two days, he added.