Bengal
Flood causes loss of 100 crore
- The Statesman
- 15 Aug 2014
District administration report says around 2 lakh people have been affected in the floods
Biswabrata Goswami
biswabrata@thestatesman.net
Tamluk, 14 August
The flood situation in eight blocks of East Midnapore is grim, with agriculture and property worth as much as Rs 100 crores damaged.
The situation has particularly worsened due to incessant rains, triggered by a low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, during the last seven days. The local Met office sources said the rains will continue for another 24 hours before the weather improves.
As a result, millions of people living in Contai-I, II and III, Khejuri-I and II, Egra-II, Ramnagar-II and Bhagwanpur-II blocks in the district have been affected with swelling river water overflowing the banks and entering the villages. Besides, there was severe waterlogging in many coastal areas due to continuous rains, affecting thousands of residents.
The district administration has already alerted the concerned government officials of these eight blocks to meet all exigencies.
“The BDOs of these blocks have been asked to evacuate the people from low lying areas and make arrangements for free kitchens for the affected people. A total of 200 rescue-center has been set up where more than 10000 people are staying,” said a senior administrative officer.
The Chief Minister has asked the concerned departments to keep watch on the weak river embankments by deploying mobile teams in these areas, adequate stocks of fodder and make arrangements for supply of drinking water and health services, the official said.
The farmers are facing severe difficulties as paddy seedlings have been damaged by the floods. Left with no other option, they have now turned to the government for assistance. The farmers have threatened to launch a massive agitation, if the state government denies them compensation.
“Last year also during the floods, many hectares of paddy fields perished. But, we are yet to receive any compensation. This year, we are facing similar losses due to floods, but we are not sure whether the state government will compensate us or not. If the situation continues, we will launch agitation,” said Mr Prasun Bera, a farmer from Khejuri.
According to the assessment report prepared by the district agriculture and horticulture departments, the total loss has been estimated at around Rs 100 crores, of which major losses have been incurred from the damage to crops, seedlings, flowers and ornamental leaves.
The district agriculture department, however, has not mentioned the losses in monetary terms, but officials said the loss would be around Rs 50 crore.
Similarly, the district horticulture department has assessed the damages caused to flower plants, betel vines and vegetables. They have estimated the loss at around Rs 35 crore.
According to its reports, the heavy downpours have damaged 50,000 hectares of agricultural land, 1,200 hectares of flowers and 800 hectares of betel vines worth of Rs 3.67 crore. Meanwhile, people involved with fisheries are facing worst as most of the ponds and water bodies have been washed away by the flood waters.
According to the district administration report, around 2 lakh people have been affected in the floods so far. A total of 10,000 houses have either collapsed or partially damaged.
In view of the scale of devastation, the district administration has appealed to the state government for funds and to extend help in relief assistance and support for the eventual reconstruction effort in the affected areas.
Biswabrata Goswami
biswabrata@thestatesman.net
Tamluk, 14 August
The flood situation in eight blocks of East Midnapore is grim, with agriculture and property worth as much as Rs 100 crores damaged.
The situation has particularly worsened due to incessant rains, triggered by a low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, during the last seven days. The local Met office sources said the rains will continue for another 24 hours before the weather improves.
As a result, millions of people living in Contai-I, II and III, Khejuri-I and II, Egra-II, Ramnagar-II and Bhagwanpur-II blocks in the district have been affected with swelling river water overflowing the banks and entering the villages. Besides, there was severe waterlogging in many coastal areas due to continuous rains, affecting thousands of residents.
The district administration has already alerted the concerned government officials of these eight blocks to meet all exigencies.
“The BDOs of these blocks have been asked to evacuate the people from low lying areas and make arrangements for free kitchens for the affected people. A total of 200 rescue-center has been set up where more than 10000 people are staying,” said a senior administrative officer.
The Chief Minister has asked the concerned departments to keep watch on the weak river embankments by deploying mobile teams in these areas, adequate stocks of fodder and make arrangements for supply of drinking water and health services, the official said.
The farmers are facing severe difficulties as paddy seedlings have been damaged by the floods. Left with no other option, they have now turned to the government for assistance. The farmers have threatened to launch a massive agitation, if the state government denies them compensation.
“Last year also during the floods, many hectares of paddy fields perished. But, we are yet to receive any compensation. This year, we are facing similar losses due to floods, but we are not sure whether the state government will compensate us or not. If the situation continues, we will launch agitation,” said Mr Prasun Bera, a farmer from Khejuri.
According to the assessment report prepared by the district agriculture and horticulture departments, the total loss has been estimated at around Rs 100 crores, of which major losses have been incurred from the damage to crops, seedlings, flowers and ornamental leaves.
The district agriculture department, however, has not mentioned the losses in monetary terms, but officials said the loss would be around Rs 50 crore.
Similarly, the district horticulture department has assessed the damages caused to flower plants, betel vines and vegetables. They have estimated the loss at around Rs 35 crore.
According to its reports, the heavy downpours have damaged 50,000 hectares of agricultural land, 1,200 hectares of flowers and 800 hectares of betel vines worth of Rs 3.67 crore. Meanwhile, people involved with fisheries are facing worst as most of the ponds and water bodies have been washed away by the flood waters.
According to the district administration report, around 2 lakh people have been affected in the floods so far. A total of 10,000 houses have either collapsed or partially damaged.
In view of the scale of devastation, the district administration has appealed to the state government for funds and to extend help in relief assistance and support for the eventual reconstruction effort in the affected areas.
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