KOCHI: The heavy rain that lashed the district seems to have left a devastating impact on the people. According to data sourced from the Agriculture Department, around 185 hectares of agriculture was completely affected due to the heavy rain and gusty wind. Farmer faced a loss of Rs 4.8 crore in the monsoon itself.
As per the report prepared by the department, banana farmers were mostly affected due to the heavy rain. According to the department, as many as 136,700 banana plants were completely damaged in the monsoon which hit the state earlier than usual. Rubber trees, which are also the main source of income, were also affected heavily. As per the report, 6,087 rubber trees, including tapping and non-tapping ones, were affected. Meanwhile, around 523 coconut trees were uprooted in different parts of the district. Besides, crops like pepper, tapioca, paddy and vegetables also suffered a blow.
“Like in the previous year, areas such as Paravur taluk, Muvattupuzha taluk, Kothamangalam taluk and Aluva are the most affected in the monsoon. As per the rough estimate, the heavy rain has affected over 3,000 families in the district,” said an officer with the Agriculture Department.
In a report prepared by the district disaster management, a total of 16 families were left homeless as their houses were completely damaged in the rain. Meanwhile, around 275 houses were partially damaged in the district. “Paravur taluk witnessed the most number of accidents this monsoon. As per the report, 65 houses in the taluk were partially damaged and 8 houses were completely destroyed.
In Muvattupuzha area 2 houses were fully damaged and 33 were partially damaged. In Aluva area, as many as 3 houses were completely destroyed and 39 were partially affected,” said an officer with the district administration.