A large number of cattle, of different breeds, was found to be up for sale at a makeshift cattle market at Alampur Chowrasta Bazar area of Kazipur upazila in Sirajganj, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha coming up next week.
However, the absence of buyers in comparison to the scores of sellers indicated that the flood situation had adversely affected sales so far.
Locals blamed the floods, which had swept away a 60-metre embankment near the Jamuna River. This led to the flooding of the adjacent village of Meghai, and had also flooded the roads between Sirajganj and villages such as Meghai, Paikartali and Kunkunia.
The floods had also affected the livestock and cattle in these villages, while their stock of food, such as hay, was also disrupted. In spite of all these problems, the owners have taken good care of their livestock and cattle, in hopes of selling them just before Eid.
Locals also said that, many of those who were able to buy cattle last year may not be able to afford doing so this year, thus different people may buy one animal between them and share the same. This is due to the fact that floods have severely affected their livelihoods, and many people are finding it difficult to make ends meet.
Rehana Khatun, a victim of the floods at Meghai village, said her husband was not able to find work ahead of Eid, while the floods have also swept away whatever resources they had.
"It will be difficult even to purchase one sacrificial animal in partnership with others," she lamented.
Masud Rana, a seller at the makeshift cattle market at Alampur Chowrasta Bazar, had brought his only medium-sized cow in hopes of fetching a good price.
"The lack of buyers is really disheartening," he said, "I am not sure if I will be able to sell the cow at a good price."
Shahidul Islam, a resident at Alampur Chowrasta Bazar area, said buyers usually start flocking after 3pm, but the prices do not match their expectations, so most of them leave without purchasing any animal.
Bangladesh has a total stock of 11.18 million cows, buffaloes, goats, and sheep "ready for Eid slaughtering" this year; slightly up from the previous year.
In addition to maintaining the stock of animals ready for sacrifice during Eid, preparations have also been taken to supply healthy goats, sheep, buffaloes, and cattle in markets for Eid-ul-Azha.
4.58 million cows and buffaloes, 7.20 million goats and sheep, and a large number of other sacrificial animals will be available this year to be slaughtered, the Department of Livestock . This figure was confirmed by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) at a recent meeting..
Earlier,an annual number of 2.4 to 2.5 million Indian cows were known to enter Bangladesh illegally; however, only 92,000 cows entered Bangladesh in 2018.