THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The heavy rain that lashed Thiruvananthapuram over the past few days has dealt the district agricultural losses amounting to more than Rs 1.77 crore, according to a report by the principal agriculture officer. The report was prepared after assessing the agricultural losses suffered from July 30 to August 4.
Crops spread across 29.04 hectares were damaged in nine blocks —Aryanad, Attingal, Kattakada, Nedumangad, Neyyattinkara, Pallichal, Parassala, Pulimath and Vamanapuram.
“Vamanapuram recorded the highest crop damage, with 8.20 hectares affected, followed by Aryanad (6.46 hectares), Pallichal (5.20 hectares), Neyyattinkara (4.30 hectares), Parassala (2.80 hectares), Attingal (1.40 hectares), Kattakada (0.46 hectares), Nedumangad (0.16 hectares), and Pulimath (0.06 hectares),” the report said.
Banana, vegetables, tapioca, coconut, ginger, and pepper were among the crops that suffered the most damage.
“Of the 713 affected farmers, 561 are banana cultivators, with losses estimated at Rs 1.72 crore,” the report stated.
Meanwhile, the IMD on Tuesday issued a yellow alert for Thiruvananthapuram district for three days, till August 7, considering the possibility of heavy rainfall ranging from 64.5 to 115.5 mm within 24 hours. The Met Department has also advised the people living in landslide, mudslide, and flash flood-prone areas to relocate to safer places.
According to the department of disaster management, as many as six houses have been partially damaged. The district has reported three rain deaths, and the search for two fishermen missing from Muthalapozhi is on.
KU postpones exams
Kerala University has postponed all examinations scheduled to be held on Wednesday owing to adverse weather conditions. The revised dates will be announced later. However, there is no change in the examinations being conducted by the university’s teaching departments.
Total affected: 713
Pallichal - 162
Neyyattinkara - 146
Vamanapuram - 138
Parassala - 128
Aryanad - 98
Kattakada - 16
Attingal - 13
Nedumangad - 9
Pulimath - 3
Crop damage
Banana - 12.73 hectares
Vegetables- 8.20 hectares
Tapioca - 2.20 hectares
Coconut - 0.12 hectares
Ginger - 0.10 hectares
Pepper - 0.04 hectares