Storm surge in the sea: life of distressed fishermen

Due to climate change, disasters like ocean storms, low pressure have become a daily occurrence. Even a decade ago, one or two storms or depressions would occur every few years. Now has to deal with several storms every year. Fishermen are not able to go to deep sea for fishing as the weather is not favorable. The number of deaths of fishermen in the sea is also increasing.

Fishermen say the death toll is high among fishermen fishing in the deep Bay of Bengal. Thousands of families have become destitute due to the loss of the only breadwinner in the family. Many have changed careers to save lives. Meteorological experts say that cyclones have increased due to adverse effects of climate change.

In the last 17 years, 13 cyclones have hit the coast of Bangladesh. Besides, due to low pressure and adverse weather conditions, fishermen have to return from the sea many times. However, from 1960 to 2006 there were only 8 cyclones in 44 years.

Regarding the sudden increase in the number of cyclones, meteorologist Abdul Mannan told risingbd.com that the atmosphere has become unstable. Global warming and climate change cause frequent cyclones.

He said that the temperature of sea and river is increasing day by day. Since these problems were less in the past, cyclones were also less. Human activities are responsible for climate change.

Abu Taher (70), a fisherman of Noli area of ​​Barguna Sadar Upazila, has been fishing in the deep Bay of Bengal for more than 50 years. He said, 'Even 20 years ago, there were not so many cyclones. Every 5-10 years there would be a cyclone. But, now every year there are cyclones. Sometimes twice a year. We are always in fear when we go fishing. Every time there is no goodbye to the family before leaving for the sea, it seems like it is the last goodbye. And maybe I won't be able to return.'

He said, 'Last year there were two cyclones. Not once did we go to sea and get information that there would be a cyclone. Suddenly I see the sea is rough. My trawler sank during Cyclone Midhili. After two days afloat, other fishermen rescued them. This sudden cyclone is now the terror of Jelapally.'

Abul Hossain Faraji, the owner of FB Allah Daan Trawler in Fish Canal area of ​​Patharghata Upazila, told RisingBD, I have been involved in the fishing business for 47 years. 6 of my trawlers have sunk and disappeared in various storms. 22 people died out of 96 caught in these trawlers. None of the 6 trawlers were found. The cost of 6 trawlers is more than 13 crore rupees.

Last year on November 17, 17 fishermen of Sadar Upazila went missing after FB Elahi Bharsa trawler sank under Cyclone Midhili. On the same day, 8 more fishermen went missing after FB Mae's Doa trawler sank under the influence of a cyclone.

Salma Begum, wife of FB Elahi Bharsa Trawler, Liton Howlader, told RisingBD, 'My husband used to hunt for fish due to scarcity. In the first week of November, leave 5 kg of rice and go fishing. Before leaving, tell him to borrow money to run the family until he returns. He is missing after his trawler sank in Cyclone Midhili. It's been six months, no trace of him. I didn't even find my husband's body.'

On May 14 last year, the trawler did not sink in the cyclone Mokha, but the owners of the trawler suffered a loss of Tk 50 crore due to not being able to catch fish.

Like 2023, 2022 also experienced two cyclones. 23 fishing trawlers sank and 172 fishermen went missing. 157 fishermen were rescued but 15 died. In that year, 34 fishermen went missing after 11 trawlers sank in 24 hours due to a sudden storm in the sea on 20 August.

Cyclone Ampan in 2020, Cyclone Bulbul and Fani in 2019, Cyclone Mora in 2017, Cyclone Roanur in 2016, Cyclone Komen in 2015, Cyclone Mahasen in 2013 two years before that, Cyclone Aila in 2009 and Cyclone Aila in 2007 hit the coast of Bangladesh. Super Cyclone Cedar. Hundreds of trawlers went missing in the deep Bay of Bengal in these cyclones. Thousands of fishermen lost their lives.

Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Fishing Trawler Owners Association, told RisingBD that fishermen will lose their lives if there is a cyclone in the sea. At one time there was a cyclone once every 10 years. And now there are two cyclones in a year. Fishermen cannot stay in the sea for long. Have to come back without catching fish. Trawler owners face financial loss.