Floods cause loss of Rs 5 billion in Madhesh

KATHMANDU: The recent floods, landslides and inundation have caused a huge loss in Madhesh.

According to preliminary reports, the calamitous incidents have caused damages to arable land and agricultural infrastructure along with livestock and fisheries.

The loss is estimated to be over Rs 5 billion.

Farmers are worried of paddy being submerged.

Agriculture experts have said that millions of rupees have been damaged due to the inundation. Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari directed the employees to prepare the next strategy by collecting data on the damage to the agriculture sector as soon as possible after discussing the situation arising out of monsoon-related disasters.

Information Officer at the Ministry, Mahananda Joshi said that according to the preliminary information till Tuesday, the paddy crop has been severely damaged due to the disaster.

According to agriculture economist Joshi, paddy cultivation has been damaged in Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara and Parsa.

The Agriculture Development Directorate of Madhes Province noted that the rain has caused a loss of Rs 5.33 billion to the agriculture sector in the State.

According to preliminary information received from eight districts of the province, paddy planted in 42,069 hectares of land has been damaged.

Similarly, loss amounting to Rs 13.2 million was incurred due to the destruction of vegetables planted in 4,393 hectares. Fruits planted in 22 hectares of land worth Rs 4.4 millions were damaged.

Likewise, disaster has caused a loss of Rs 34 million in sugarcane farming in the province, the loss estimation report stated.