Floods in Bihar have not only caused loss of man and material but also destroyed several hectares of crop, leaving the farmers of the state doomed.
According to an official estimate, crops in over 1 lakh hectare of land have been damaged in the floods with the total loss being pegged at a whopping Rs 150 crore. And this figure is expected to rise further in the coming days.
Banana farmers are the worst hit as over 1,500 acres of banana crop have been destroyed in districts of Vaishali and Bhagalpur alone. Paddy and maize crops have also been washed away in the flood-hit areas. There are also fears of Rabi crop being damaged due to accumulation of silt in the farm lands following the receding flood waters.
Floods have caused maximum losses in districts of Supaul, Araria, Madhepura and Purnia. It is only after the flood waters recede that the exact extent of damage can be gauged.
Meanwhile, 170 people have died in the floods. The number is likely to increase, as large areas still remain inundated and rescue operations are on.
