The New Nation - Internet Edition

Barisal Correspondent

Continuous downpour and gusty wind has disrupted normal life making agriculture, fishing and communications uncertain in the Barisal region since Friday night

Barisal city experienced light to moderate rainfall, which created problems for the city dwellers, office goers and the poor. Atendance in offices, courts and educational institutions was less than normal. Water level of the river Kirtonkhola is touching the danger level. Roads in the city remained submerged in rainwater.

Barisal Port authority hoisted cautionary signal No.2. Hundreds of passengers in different points of the region became stranded after suspension of plying of smaller water vessels along different routes of Barisal, Patuakhali, Bhola and Barguna districts since Friday night

Red Crescent has been constantly monitoring the weather situation.

The sources said rivers and the sea have become turbulent Tourists have left Kuakata seashore. Fishermen suspended fishing due to the adverse weather.

Aus and Aman paddy cultivation was also hampered and standing crops remained under water due to the downpour.

Meanwhile UNB adds: The deep depression crossed Orissa coast of India near Paradwip early Sunday and now it lies over Orissa and adjoining area as a land depression, according to a Met office bulletin.

Besides, many fishermen were feared dead or went missing in rough sea in Bagerhat, Laxmipur, Barisal, Bhola and other coastal districts. In Bagerhat, some 50 fishermen were feared dead following Friday night's storm in the Bay of Bengal. Around 12 trawlers capsized and many went missing along with hundreds of fishermen on the bay during the storm.

Over 100 shrimp enclosures in four upazilas of Bagerhat were washed away by walls of water, causing a reported loss of over Tk 50,000 lakh.

Sources said over 300 thatched houses were also damaged in 10 unions of Swarankhola, Morelganj, Mongla and Rampal upazilas as water levels in rivers and canals of the district suddenly swelled by 3 to 4 feet Besides, three anchored trawlers capsized in different local rivers in Swarankhola and Mongla upazilas Sunday morning. Coastguards rescued eight fishermen of 'MV Mayer Doa' in Kachikhali Shukpara area of Swarankhola upazila but they could not salvage the sunken trawler. Meanwhile, the district administration has opened three control rooms and taken precautionary measures in the coastal belt following unusual rise of water in the rivers and canals.