Fani causes damage worth Tk 5.36b

Cyclone Fani has caused damage worth Tk 5.36 billion to housing, infrastructure and agriculture across Bangladesh, according to government estimates.

Shah Kamal, senior secretary to the disaster management and relief ministry, revealed the information at an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat on Thursday, reports bdnews24.com.

The storm destroyed housing worth at least Tk 781 million, embankments worth Tk 2.51 billion, fisheries worth Tk 20 million and mango orchards worth Tk 50 million and crops worth at least Tk 380 million, he said.

Besides, the government placed the figure of damage to infrastructure at around Tk 1.61 billion, based on the estimated cost of repairs to 281 kilometres of roads under local government authorities.

Cyclone Fani hit Bangladesh through south-southwest and moved into central districts on May 4 packing a wind speed of 80kmph after lashing India with sustained wind speed of about 200kmph.

Experts believe that the damage inflicted by the storm was relatively low as the storm had lost strength before reaching the country.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman said that the prime minister had instructed the authorities to determine the amount of damage in the cyclone and submit a report with a rehabilitation plan by Thursday.

Five people - two in Barguna and one each in Bhola, Noakhali and Lakshmipur - were killed and 53 others injured in the storm, said the state minister.