53,000 acres of cropland damaged in Fani cyclone

In its trail of destruction after India, severe cyclonic storm Fani has left over 53,000 acres of cropland and 13,000 houses damaged in Bangladesh.

Among them, 330 acres of crop was fully destroyed and 52,729 acres partially damaged, said National Disaster Response Coordination Centre.

It added, 2,243 houses were completely destroyed and 11,172 others partially damaged.

Fani: Bangladesh now out of danger

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“This is the initial data we have gathered,” GM Abdul Quader, joint secretary for Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, told The Daily Star.

Initial estimates can grow after a complete assessment, he said.

In addition, the cyclone and tidal surges caused by it developed rift along over 32 kilometre of river embankment, the disaster response centre said.

So far, the government said to have distributed 3,800 metric tonnes of rice, Tk 1.97 crore in aid and 41,000 packets of dried food among the victims.

LATEST ON CYCLONE FANI

Bangladesh is now completely out of any potential danger from cyclone Fani, which has reduced down to a depression in the north.

“There is no more danger,” Shamsuddin Ahmed, director of Bangladesh Meteorological Department, told The Daily Star this afternoon.

“We have lowered all the danger signals. Fani has lost its potency. It is unlikely to cause any further damage,” he assured around 5:30pm today.

Bangladesh has lowered all its danger signals along the coast and instead hoisted cautionary signal number 3 in Chattogram, Mongla, Payra and Cox’s Bazar.

However, rough tides are still ruling the waters – preventing the authorities from allowing water vessels to ply anywhere in the country.

Last reported, the severe cyclonic storm has reduced down to a depression and causing rainfall in the north. It has passed north, away from Dhaka.