Pravash Pradhan
Reports pouring in from the ground confirms that Cyclone ‘Yaas’ has inflicted huge financial losses on shrimp farming along Odisha and Bengal coasts. The calamity is bound to cause huge strain on livelihoods and farming in the region in the coming days and months.
About 3000 hectares of shrimp farms along the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal have got inundated, incurring severe financial losses to the farmers. The severity of the very severe cyclone ‘Yaas’ on shrimp farmers of both the states seems to be significant, according to preliminary reports gathered by Aqua Post.
The tidal waves of height 1-2 meters above astronomical tide inundated low lying areas of Balasore, Bhadrak, Medinipur, South 24 Parganas districts. The ‘very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 130-140 kmph gusting to 155kmph between 10.30 and 11.30 hours’ worsened the situation further.
According to Indian Meteorological Department, Odisha will experience ‘light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy rainfall (? 20 cm) at isolated places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhargarh, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Deogarh, Sundergarh & Angul during next 24 hours and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur on 26th and heavy falls at isolated places in extreme north interior Odisha on 27th May’. And West Bengal will witness ‘light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on 26th May and heavy rain at isolated places on 27th May’
The severe cyclone has inflicted huge financial losses on the shrimp farmers on the coasts of both Eastern States.
“As per the initial reports approximately 700 million of crops got under water. It’s primarily because of the high tide which came in early morning. In raw material terms that would be approx. 12000-13000 MT. Having said that, the picture will be clear within the next couple of days as we expect a few more high tides tonight and tomorrow,”Bishal Acharjee, Head Sales and Sustainable Aquaculture- Prawn, IFB Agro.
Giving details of the areas affected due to the cyclone, Bishal added, “Almost all coastline areas got affected. Approximately 1000-1200 hectares of shrimp farms across Nandigram, Terapekhya, Amtalia and Pichhaboni, Khejuri, Namkhana, Raidighi and Sagar areas of south 24 Parganas were badly hit.”
Many of the shrimp farms on the Bhadraka and Balasore coasts were flooded.
Chintamani Mohapatra, Regional Manager (Sales), Growell Feed said, “ The shrimps farms near Dhamara, Balimunda and Chandbali areas in Bhadrak district were severely affected. In Balasore district, the affected areas included Gopalpur, Kharaspur, Chandipur, Parikhi, Kasaphala, Bahabalpur, Saratha, Kasaphala, Choumukh, Kankadapal and some parts of Chandaneswar.”
Before publishing the news report, we tried to talk to some farmers, feed dealers and government officials to ascertain the magnitude of damage Yaas has brought to the shrimp farmers in these two coastal States and its impact on the local economy. The exact number of farms inundated are yet to be ascertained. This story will be updated when our team ascertains more ground details on the situation.
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