BARISHAL, Apr 29: The running unprecedented heatwave is affecting fisheries and agriculture sectors in the district and its coastal areas.
Due to lack of rain, Boro production cost is increasing due to additional irrigation while Aush paddy cultivation is halted.
A concern has been created about Hilsas going back to deep sea amid hot water in rivers. Irrigation and rearing of maturing Boro fields are hampered.
At present, about 7 per cent higher temperature than normal is prevailing in Barishal. Agriculture labourers can go to fields. Already in several areas, farmers and fishers have been sick due to fierce heat.
This Rabi season, Boro paddy has been cultivated on four lakh hectares of land, with a rice production target of about 18 lakh tonnes. The Boro fields are already in blooming and milk-forming stage, requiring uninterrupted irrigation. But for the last 15 days, the irrigation has been halted.
The Boro cutting is supposed to start in the next 15 days.
In Barishal, the highest temperature has increased to 39.2 degree Celsius to 40.2 degree from 33.4 degree in the beginning of the summer.
Meteorological Office predicted more temperature rise in the next few days. In the last three months of this year, less than normal rainfall was recorded in Barishal; in the last month, 30 per cent less rainfall was recorded.
In 24 days of April, only 22 milimetre (MM) rainfall was recorded in Barishal against predicted 120-145mm.
In a compelling condition amid the heatwave, fishers are keeping refrain from fishing in rivers. Already Hilsas are going back to deep sea from internal and coastal rivers.
According to fish scientists, normally this time the river water temperature was supposed to be 30 degree Celsius; but the temperature has already exceeded 36 degree Celsius; this level of heating is not favourable for Hilsa and other fishes.
Scientists said, there are chemo server organs on heads of Hilsa fishes, and by which Hilsa fish can understand temperature of rivers and depth; Hilsa fish never stays in adverse ecology; after laying eggs, Hilsa goes back to deep sea.
Scientists of Fisheries Research Institute said, if the current heatwave continues, the trend of Hilsa going back to sea can be expedited.
Hilsa and river fishes have been arriving thinly at Barishal bazaars for the last 15 days. Fishers said, this fish crisis in local markets has been created as fishers are not going to rivers amid the severe heat.
Deputy Director of Fisheries Department- Barishal Nipendra Nath Biswas said, "On observation of the situation, we are providing all necessary advice to fishers."
