Despite the incessant rain taking a hiatus for the last two days, many parts of Kuttanad continue to be flooded, leaving most of the people in the affected areas at relief camps.

Over 14,1,292 persons are housed at the 433 relief camps opened by the district administration. According to the authorities, the district has suffered a loss to the tune of Rs 61.16 crore so far in the rain-related disasters this season.

Agricultural sector alone has suffered a loss of Rs 49.1 crore while other sectors suffered a loss of Rs 12.06 crore. The district authority has submitted a report to the Chief Minister, seeking relief to those who suffered losses. The Chief Minister had visited the district last week to evaluate the situation.

In the agricultural sector, paddy cultivators suffered the most, amounting a loss of Rs 41.4 crore. Around 7,471 hectares of paddy cultivation is under flood, said Agricultural Department deputy director A G Kareem.

Of this, cultivation on 4,805 hectares has been destroyed. If the flood water is evacuated from the fields, a portion of the crop can be saved and the department is striving hard to do so, he said.Around 42 paddy polders spread across 2,875 hectares under 11 Agricultural Offices in Kuttanad were destroyed owing to the breach of bunds. The Chief Minister has asked the agricultural officers to take immediate measures to reconstruct the bunds and drain the polders.

Most of the crop in the polders has developed a growth of around 20 to 30 days. If the draining works will be carried out in a week, at least a portion of the crops can be saved, Kareem said.

Vegetable cultivation in around 79 hectares and plantains in around 86 hectares have been lost in the flood and wind.

Tuber crop cultivation in around 92 hectare also suffered loss. The loss suffered due to the destruction of houses, roads, electric poles and water authority has been pegged at Rs 12.06 crore. As many as 18 houses were destroyed and 806 houses damaged in the district.

Source - http://www.newindianexpress.com/