Dipankar Roy

Black tiger shrimps, locally known as Bagda, have seen their prices slump, handing losses to thousands of farmers in the southwestern region, the main belt of export-oriented shrimp and prawns in Bangladesh.  

Things that immediately come to mind when someone thinks of Khulna are the world’s one of the largest mangrove forests Sundarbans and delicious shrimps. But the southwestern city is also home to food dishes prepared with piper chaba, locally known as chui jhal, whose popularity is growing rapidly.

An industrial estate of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) in Khulna is yet to be fully developed even though more than half a century has passed since its establishment.

The once mighty Shoilmari river in Khulna’s Batiaghata upazila can now only be called a river on paper. In just three years, it has been filled with silt.

Md Alauddin Zoardar of Hasanpur village under Khulna’s Dumuria upazila has become a pioneer in fish farming by cultivating Pabdah catfish, locally known as Pabda, in a saline prone area of the region.

Broad bean farmers in Kharnia village under Dumuria upazila of Khulna expect good profit from cultivating early varieties of the crop this year, given that the weather remains favourable.

Due to continuous encroachment and unchecked pollution, Mayur, one of the main freshwater rivers of Khulna, is at death’s throes.

Rainwater hasn’t drained out of Khulna city’s Bastuhara colony yet, even after five days, causing immense suffering to 5,000 residents.

Cyclone Sitrang is over and the weather is forecast to be sunny today. But for thousands of people in Bangladesh, including farmers, it is rather gloomy. 

Cyclone Sitrang has affected 33,000 hectares of transplanted Aman paddy crop and washed away fish and shrimps mainly in the southern coastal districts, officials said yesterday.  

Khulna region has been sunny since morning (October 25, 2022) with occasional clouds in the sky. However, many roads are still under water due to yesterday's heavy rain brought on by Cyclone Sitrang.

Locals are in panic since the embankment in Khulna’s Koyra upazila was damaged due to high tide and rain since midnight ahead of cyclone Sitrang.

The BNP rally in Khulna was largely peaceful with some incidents of vandalism and activists of the BNP and ruling Awami League chasing each other.

Rising seas, floods, and intensifying cyclones are just a few of the calamities that threaten Bangladesh, one of the most climate change-vulnerable countries in the world, said speakers yesterday.

One can hear slogans while crossing Shibbari intersection in Khulna this morning (October 22, 2022) as people in small groups are moving towards the rally venue marching and chanting. Meanwhile, many has already arrived at the rally venue last evening.

Bus owners are suspending bus services in Khulna for two days from today ahead of the BNP’s protest rally in the city tomorrow.

Due to the mindless dumping of waste, rampant river-grabbing by influential persons and reluctance of authorities to take appropriate steps, Bhairab river -- one of the major waterbodies of the country -- continues to suffer.

As many as eight sluice gates out of 23 have remained completely out of order in Khulna’s Koyra upazila for a long time, concerning the farmers about irrigation during the ongoing Aman season.

Despite the energy crisis, hundreds of  battery-powered vehicles, easy-bikes and vans are plying Khulna roads consuming huge amounts of electricity everyday.

Rahima Begum was not abducted; she willingly went into hiding, said Police Bureau of Investigation yesterday.