Bagerhat
Covid-19: Week-long lockdown imposed in Bagerhat upazilas
Authorities on Thursday imposed a week-long lockdown in the nine upazilas of Bagerhat district to contain the spread of Covid-19.
The lockdown will remain in force till June 30 midnight.
The decision to enforce the lockdown was taken at an emergency virtual meeting of the District Corona Prevention Committee on Tuesday, presided over by deputy commissioner Mohammad Azizur Rahman.
Also read: Nationwide lockdown not needed if transmission in Dhaka, nearby districts is controlled: DGHS
There will be strict restrictions on public movement in the upazilas. No vehicles will be allowed to ply on the roads during the lockdown.
However, emergency service vehicles will remain out of the purview of the restrictions.
Mobile courts will penalise the violators, while the volunteer force will keep a tab on the ward and union levels in the district.
On Wednesday, four people died of Covid-19 in the district. Of them, one died at Sadar Hospital, while the remaining three died at Khulna Medical College and Hospital.
So far, 73 people have died in the district, according to health officials.
Also read: Week-long lockdown imposed in Jibannagar to curb Covid spread
Besides, 60 people tested positive for Covid in 24 hours till Wednesday morning. The positivity rate stood at 44%.
District Civil Surgeon Dr KM Humayun Kabir said that a total of 2,751 people have been found infected with the virus and of them, 1,843 recovered in the district.
He also urged people to strictly follow the health guidelines stipulated by the government.
Bagerhat records 89 more Covid cases
The district on Friday reported 89 more Covid cases in 24 hours, as authorities struggle to contain the second wave of the pandemic.
Officials said the fresh coronavirus cases were detected after testing 179 samples. With the new cases, the district’s positivity rate has now risen to 49%.
Read:In Bagerhat, test for Covid-19 at home
Besides, 63 people have died of Covid in the district to date, said civil surgeon Dr KM Humayun Kabir.
According to the district’s health department, Bagerhat’s Covid caseload currently stand at 2,479, while 1,665 people have recovered from the infection to date.
Read: 2 poachers held with venison, legs in Bagerhat
To stem the spread of coronavirus, local authorities have extended the ongoing lockdown in the Mongla municipal area of the district by another week.
Can shrimp farmers recover from Amphan-Yaas double blow?
Till even the start of 2020, farming of freshwater shrimp, otherwise known as 'white gold' among Bangladeshis for its lucrative export value, and the newer addition of crab farming in the same ponds and enclosures as the shrimp combined to paint a very optimistic future for the sector, with the promise of ample export earnings once the pandemic was over.
Eighteen months later, the shrimp and crab farmers have lost not just income by way of lower demand, but also much of their assets in two natural disasters – Cyclones Amphan and Yaas- that brought tidal surges that washed away entire fish enclosures.
For the owners, it is now a question of survival, and by doing so, keeping the 1 –1.5 million people employed naked in the sector and its offshoots in jobs. But they almost certainly cannot do it now without some form of bailout from the government - their dues have piled up, and many face the prospect of forced closure. Indeed, there have been scores of closures.
Read: Yaas leaves behind Tk 60 crore worth of damage, losses in Khulna
Shrimp farmers must be wondering whether there is some curse over them, preventing them from meeting their potential. Every year since 2013-14 fiscal has seen their sector hit by some major disruption, coming with new challenges for Bangladesh's ''white gold" or commercial shrimp production. Viral infections, drought, heavy rain, flood, tidal surge, and cyclones are wiping away shrimp enclosures.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh exported 41,236 tonnes of shrimp worth $545 million in the 2013-14 fiscal year.
Since then, shrimp export has been dropping. By the 2018-19 fiscal year, exports decreased by 34 percent to $361 million. In that fiscal year, the country exported 29,543 tonnes of shrimp.
The slump in demand for Bangladeshi shrimp over this period can also be partially attributed to the explosion in popularity of the white leg shrimp.
Read Tropical Storm or Cyclone Preparedness Checklist 2021
Most of the farmers are also suffering continuous losses because of the drop in prices after the onset of the pandemic and the actions of syndicates of frozen food entrepreneurs.
Also, Cyclone Yaas and the resultant floods have shattered the hopes of shrimp and fish farmers of the coastal districts and nearby areas.
Shrimp, white fish, and crabs in farms and ponds over vast stretches of land in many villages of Bagerhat, Khulna, and Satkhira have been washed away by gushing floodwater and tides, causing huge losses to the farmers.
Also, houses, structures and equipment surrounding the ponds and farms were washed away.
Read: Shrimp farmers count losses from cyclone in Koyra
Aquaculture farmers and shrimp cultivators, who have already counted losses worth crores of taka, do not know how long it will take them to recover the losses.
Shrimp farming, which once lifted many people out of poverty, has now become synonymous with loss.
The fate of many, who invested all their hopes and money to renovate the pond, now hangs in balance. So, they are looking for other ways to protect themselves including the introduction of an insurance scheme and moving to other professions.
There was a shortage of shrimp fries at the beginning of the year. Also, viral infections and drought hit most of the shrimp enclosures during the farming season. A huge quantity of shrimp died in enclosures from viral infections.
Read CSOs, MPs demand Tk 150 bn for coastal protection
In Bagerhat, test for Covid-19 at home
The district administration of Bagerhat has introduced mobile Covid testing booths for collecting swab samples at the doorsteps of people.
Sheikh Sarhan Naser Tonmoy, Bagerhat-2 MP, took the initiative, following a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in the district.
Read: Covid cases rising in Thakurgaon; 17 more detected
Deputy commissioner Mohammad Azizur Rahman inaugurated the mobile service at Bagerhat Sadar Hospital on Tuesday.
Civil Surgeon Dr KM Humayun Kabir said, “Medical teams with three vehicles will collect swab samples for Rapid Antigen test in Bagerhat, Sadar, Kachua, Rampal, Mongla, Morelganj and Sharankhola upazilas of the district. The mobile teams can test upto 300 people in a day.”
Read:Thakurgaon seals border areas to contain Covid
To avail the opportunity, people have to make a call on the hotline numbers -- 01920-922229 and 01400-305405.
According to health officials, some 2,209 people have been found infected with the virus so far. On Tuesday, 102 people tested positive for Covid-19.
Read: Thakurgaon: Minor couple ends life after families reject affair
A total of 57 people have died of Covid-19 to date. Some 1,563 people have recovered from Covid so far.
2 poachers held with venison, legs in Bagerhat
Forest officials in a drive arrested two poachers along with 12 kg venison, four deer legs, a trap and a trawler from Dumuria canal in Sharankhola upazila of Sundarbans east zone on Thursday.
The arrestees are Hanif Mistri, 48, son of Wahab Mistri and Masum Mistri, 28, son of Hamid Mistri of Mathbaria upazila in Pirojpur district.
Read:Poacher 'Tiger Habib' held after 20 yrs on the run
Mohammad Belayet Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sundarbans East Zone, said a patrol team of forest officials signaled a boat and a trawler to stop in the canal early in the morning.
Sensing danger, the criminals tried to flee the scene leaving behind the boat and the trawler.
Read:Two ‘poachers’ killed in tiger attack in Sundarbans
Later, the forest officials arrested two poachers while three others managed to flee the scene.
They also recovered 12 kgs of venison, four deer legs, a trap of 30 feet, the trawler and the boat from the spot.
Read:Sundarbans poacher held with tiger’s hide in Bagerhat
The five poachers were involved in poaching deer from Sundarbans.
A case was filed in this connection.
Bagerhat DC visits ailing UNB correspondent Bisnu
Newly appointed deputy commissioner of Bagerhat district Mohammad Azizur Rahman visited ailing UNB district correspondent Bisnu Proshad Chakrabortty at his Shaltala residence in the town on Monday.
The deputy commissioner inquired about his overall health condition and assured him of providing better treatment.
Read:Cyclone Yaas: 4,470 fish enclosures inundated in Bagerhat
Bisnu was admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in the capital on March 16 for better treatment after he fell sick in January.
Later, he got discharged from the hospital and was taking treatment from his residence following the advice of the physicians on April 5.
Bisnu developed various symptoms, including high fever, shortness of breath, headache and chest pain, after receiving the first dose of coronavirus vaccine on February 7 at Bagerhat Sadar Hospital.
Read:Impact of cyclone Yaas: Child drowns, 5000 families stranded in Bagerhat
He was first treated at Bagerhat Sadar Hospital and then shifted to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH).
An expert medical board, formed to treat him, conducted various tests but failed to diagnose any specific disease.
Later, Bisnu took treatment at home under the supervision of the health department.
Bagerhat Civil Surgeon Dr. KM Humayun Kabir, said “The doctors are providing medical treatment to Bisnu with sincerity and still none can identify his disease. He will further taken to BSMMU where doctors will take final decision about his treatment.”
Read: Bagerhat teens held for 'raping' seven-year-old
The Health authorities are inquiring about his condition round the clock, he said.
Besides, Bagerhat Press Club authorities have submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the deputy commissioner seeking better treatment of Bisnu.
Cyclone Yaas: 4,470 fish enclosures inundated in Bagerhat
The district fisheries department confirmed on Friday that some 4,470 fish enclosures and over 400 ponds in Bagerhat have been inundated by tidal surges triggered by Cyclone Yaas.
Bagerhat District Fisheries Officer SM Russell said that tidal surges affected the fish enclosures and ponds in eight upazilas of Bagerhat. "Different species of fish, including shrimp, worth Tk 6.5 crore have been swept away," he said.
Read:Cyclone Yaas: 50 villages in Khulna inundated by tidal surges
The fish farmers of Sharankhola, Morelganj, Rampal and Mongla upazilas of Bagerhat have been hit the hardest. A list of victims has been sent to senior officials, he added.
However, according to the fish farmers, the amount of the loss is more.
On Wednesday, due to the impact of Cyclone Yaas, water flowed above the danger level in various rivers of Bagerhat.
Impact of cyclone Yaas: Child drowns, 5000 families stranded in Bagerhat
A four-year-old child named Jinia died on Wednesday afternoon by drowning in tidal water near her house in Morrelganj upazila of Bagerhat.
Morrelganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Delwar Hossain said that the roads and drains of the Upazila have been inundated due to unusual increase in water level in Panguchi river because of cyclone Yaas.
"A child today died by drowning after falling into a drain which was filled with tidal water adjacent to her house,” he added.
Meanwhile, at least 5000 families in Sarankhola, Morrelganj and Mongla upazilas have been stranded as water level in the rivers adjacent to these places have gone up due to the impact of cyclone Yaas.
Youth arrested for raping cousin in Bagerhat
A youth was arrested in Bagerhat for allegedly raping his 5th grader cousin.
The arrestee was identified as Ujjol Khan, 26.
On Sunday police arrested Ujjol conducting a drive in Sadar upazila’s Jatrapur area following a case filed by the victim’s father accusing Ujjol and his mother Farida Begum.
Also read: Child Rape in Shariatpur: 'Rapist' madrasa teacher let off with fine
Victim’s father in the case statement said on February 15, his sister Farida Begum took his daughter home for a stay over and didn’t let her come when they asked to let her.
On March 10 when the victim's father went to Farida’s house she hid the victim and misbehaved with him.
On March 29 with the help of locals he rescued the victim from Farida’s house.
Also read: Teen held for child rape in Narayanganj
The victim said from February 17 to March 29, Ujjol has raped the victim several times.
When asked, Farida Begum threatened the victim's father to not talk about the incident.
Bagerhat model police station’s Officer-in-Charge, KM Ajijul Islam, said Ujjol was arrested upon the case filed by victim’s father.
Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019
Ujjol will be handed over to court after questioning and efforts are going on to detain the other accused, said police.
Teen worker dies in Bagerhat bakery fire
A teen worker was burnt to death as a fire broke out in a bakery factory on Saturday night.
The deceased worker was identified as Ajim Sheikh, son of Emdad Sheikh from Kondla village in Sadar Upazila.
The fire broke out around 10pm on Saturday at Sumon Bakery Factory in the city's Kachua Potti area.
Also read: 3 Rohingyas killed in Ukhiya fire
A fellow worker from the bakery, Rubel, said after having dinner Ajim went to the second floor of the factory for sleeping as others left.
Later they got to know about the fire and his death, he said.
Ajim’s mother said they sent their son to work in that factory three years ago due to poverty.
Also read: 10 Covid patients die in India hospital fire
Deputy-assistant director of Bagerhat fire service and civil defense Golam Sarowar said, a short circuit in the motor beside timber storage room on the second floor has caused the fire.
The fire may have caused Tk 2-3 lakhs worth loss to the owner, he said.
Additional superintendent of Bagerhat, Md Shafin Ahmed, said with the help of locals fire service staff contained the blaze after two hours of effort.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
The dead body was recovered after the fire was doused and sent for an autopsy, said the superintendent of police.