Cyclone Remal has wreaked havoc on 3,074 hectares of crops in Jessore, the district’s Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) reported. Heavy rains and strong winds battered the area throughout Sunday, intensifying at night, causing widespread crop damage. Affected crops include vegetables, bananas, mangoes, sesame, papaya, chilli, jute, litchi, and lemon.
Jessore has seen extensive cultivation this season with 14,220 hectares of vegetables, 587 hectares of bananas, 3,924 hectares of mangoes, and 1,680 hectares of sesame, among others. The cyclone affected vegetables on 1,429 hectares, bananas on 67 hectares, mangoes on 114 hectares, and jute on 972 hectares, among others.
DAE Deputy Director Dr. Sushanta Kumar Tarapdar mentioned that it might take another day or two to fully assess the extent of the damage. Local farmers are lamenting the year’s challenges, with earlier heatwaves already damaging crops, and now the cyclone adding to their woes. The collapse of crop scaffolds, including those for bitter gourd, pumpkin, and bottle gourd, means additional work for the farmers.
Market sellers are concerned that the combined effects of the heatwave and cyclone could lead to higher vegetable prices.
