Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali has suffered extensive damage in Cyclone Rimal. However, more damage was done to ponds, fish enclosures, forests and semi-finished and undeveloped houses. The upazila administration has yet to assess the full extent of the damage.

However, the relevant departments of the upazila administration have given some preliminary information. Upazila Fisheries Officer Apu Saha said that 2,400 ponds and 400 fish enclosures outside the flood control dam of the upazila have drowned due to heavy rains and strong tides. Various species of fish have been washed out with the tidal water. However, he said that it was not possible to determine the actual amount of damage at the moment.

Upazila Agriculture Officer. Arafat Hossain said, “Farmers had sown summer crops with aush paddy. I could not verify the amount of damage to these crops. We will be able to tell after a day or two.’

Range Officer of Kalapara Forest Division. Monirul Haque said that Chambal trees have been uprooted more. Apart from this, Akashmani, Raintree, Acacia, Mahogany trees have been uprooted. However, it is not possible to give an exact account of the tree right now. Because the storm has been hitting the coast for almost two days. But this much can be said, there has been extensive damage to the plants.

Mohipur Range Officer of the Forest Department. Abul Kalam Azad said, ‘There is no government strip garden under my range. But there are Jhaubagan, Kari Bagan. The storm is not over yet. That’s why I couldn’t calculate. The extent of the damage will be given tomorrow, Tuesday.

The power system has been damaged by the cyclone. Sajeev Pal, Deputy General Manager (DGM) Kalapara Office of Rural Electricity said that several poles of 33 KV double circuit line were broken, many poles were uprooted and tilted in Kalapara and Kuakata areas. Due to which the power system cannot be activated very quickly. It may take two or three to activate the power system.

Kalapara Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO). Humayun Kabir said that the number of affected people in 12 unions and two municipalities of Kalapara upazila is 75 thousand 130 people. Out of this, 140 houses were completely destroyed and 620 houses were partially destroyed. One died.

Kalapara Executive Engineer of Water Development Board to know the damage of flood control dam. Rakib Hossain’s mobile phone was called many times but he did not pick up the phone.

According to upazila administration sources, State Minister of Disaster Management and Relief Ministry and local member of parliament for the people of Kalapara and Rangabali upazilas affected by Cyclone Rimal. Mohibbur Rahman allocated one lakh bundles of wave tin and 3 thousand rupees for each affected family. Apart from this, he said that he has directed the Water Development Board to send a list of all affected flood control dams and culverts to the ministry within the next 24 hours.

Kalapara Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Rabiul Islam said, “Cyclone has swept over Rimal Kalapara upazila. It has caused extensive damage to Kalapara. We are trying to figure out what the damage has been in any sector. After that, the work of fixing everything, including the damaged infrastructure, will be started gradually.