Date:02/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/02/stories/2007070250690300.htm

Kerala - Kannur

Heavy loss in Kannur

Staff Reporter

Estimated at Rs.9.64 crore

Rubber, coconut, arecanut crops destroyed
1,149 houses in Kannur district damaged

KANNUR: The large-scale destruction of crops and property during the monsoon in the district last week has been pegged at Rs.9.64 crore.

The rubber, coconut, arecanut and plantain crops were destroyed and property damaged in the heavy rain and strong winds that swept the area on June 23. Four persons died in monsoon-related incidents.

Officials told the District Development Council at a meeting here on Saturday that the total loss was estimated at Rs.9.64 crore.

Compensation

The officials had sought an additional Rs.7 crore from the Government to provide relief measures to the disaster-affected. Compensation had been paid to the relatives of the deceased, including a child. As many as 1,149 houses in the district were damaged and 30 others destroyed.

The rain also destroyed crops on 617 hectares of land. As many as 7,935 farmers had been affected by the natural calamity.

The officials said at the meeting that free ration had been provided to 2,888 fishermen families since the trawling ban came into effect.