STORM! STORM!!

Maize and paddy cultivation affected due to storms

Thirty-four Gram Panchayat areas have been affected in the Kalbaishakhi and seasonal storms that occurred several times on and from 18 April in Cooch Behar district. The affected GPs are spread in six blocks like Dinhata-I, Dinhata-II, Mathabhanga-I, Sitai, Tufanganj-I and Tufanganj-II. Dinhata-I and Siati are the two most affected blocks that faced the severity of hailstorms.

According to an official estimate 1,51,680 people have been affected in the storms. 194 cattle-lives have been lost. The loss of cattle has been estimated to Rs 9-lakh. Crops spread in 10,365-hecter land have been damaged and its value is worth Rs 10.35-crore. 7,810 houses have been fully damaged and the loss is about 7.81-crore. The estimated loss of 7,500 partially damaged houses is worth Rs 1.88-crore.

Sabhadhipati of Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad Mr Dilip Biswas said they sought to the state government 25,000 tarpaulin sheets, 100-MT special GR and cash of Rs 5-lakh as cash GR for disbursement among the storm affected people as relief. He claimed that already they started distribution of relief materials at different storm-lashed areas in the district through the concerned BDO offices.

Referring the damage of crops Mr Biswas said the farmers faced a huge loss as cultivation of maize and Boro paddy have been largely affected due to the hailstorm that occurred several times since 18 April.