KOCHI: Though the monsoon rain was a big relief to people affected by summer heat and drought, the bouts of heavy rain across the district since the first week of June have left a trail of destruction.
The district received a record rainfall of 32 mm this season. However, it left several families homeless. As per the data sourced from the district administration, as many as 163 homes have been damaged in the rain so far. While 140 homes were partially damaged, 23 were razed to the ground.
“As per the estimate prepared by the village officers, the total loss suffered by families whose houses were completely damaged stands at Rs 14 lakh,” said a district administration officer based on the report for the May 30-July 14 period. “The estimated loss for the partially damaged houses is around Rs 10 lakh.”
Meanwhile, no cattle and livestock loss has been reported so far this season.
“We recorded a loss of Rs 34.54 lakh owing to the damage caused to the public sector such as power supply, water supply, road and transport, health sector and telecommunication,” the officer said. As in the previous year, Poothrikka, Ramamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Piravom, Thirumaradi, Perumbavoor and Kolenchery are the worst hit.
Meanwhile, the rain also dealt a devastating blow to the agriculture sector in the district. As per the data of the Agriculture Department, more than 3,000 families were affected by the calamity since the first week of June. As many as 60 acres were affected. Crops like nutmeg, banana, arecanut, rubber and tapioca were damaged in the heavy downpour.
Banana farmers were the worst hit with the total loss pegged at Rs 39 lakh. More than 21,000 banana trees were uprooted. Rubber trees - tapping and non-tapping - were also affected in the monsoon. Over 150 trees were uprooted. Besides, crops like pepper, tapioca, paddy and vegetables also received a devastating blow.
However, the compensation offered by the government to the farmers has drawn flak from several quarters. “According to the government, the estimated loss is Rs 50 lakh in the agriculture sector. But the actual loss will come around Rs 5 crore,” said a farmer incurring heavy loss after his paddy field was inundated.
Mapping mishap
The district received a record rainfall of 32 mm this season.
As per the data sourced from the district administration, as many as 163 homes have been damaged in the rain so far.
While 140 homes were partially damaged, 23 were razed to the ground.
The total loss suffered by families whose houses were completely damaged stands at Rs 14 lakh