Drought: Kerala facing 50% crop loss

The Central team visiting Kerala to analyse the drought situation has found that it is facing over 50% crop loss. Lack of rain and rising mercury have left agricultural lands in the state high and dry, the panel headed by Union Agriculture Joint Secretary Ashwani Kumar said. 
 

The team also held a meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, ministers and officers, after visiting drought-hit districts. 
 

"Crop damages were rampant and in some areas loss was more than 50%. The Centre will provide relief measures for the state," Ashwani Kumar said. He was talking after attending the meeting with the Chief Minister, Agriculture Minister V S Sunil Kumar, Revenue Minister E Chandrasekharan, Water Resources Minister Mathew T Thomas and other officers. 
 

The team will submit a detailed report to Union Agriculture Ministry after correlating their findings with the data given by the state. 
 

The government has already submitted details with four major issues - potable water, crops, animal husbandry and potable water facilities and repair of irrigation. Centre would provide relief measures as per the norms of National Disaster Response Force. 
 

"The team had been briefed about the gravity of the situation and the long-term impact of drought. Potable water is the priority, and the state is also thinking about cloud seeding," the Chief Minister said. 
 

The Central team decided to visit the state after a request from Kerala government for a comprehensive drought package. The state has sought ₹991 crore towards relief from the Central Government. 

• drought
• crop loss
• cloud seeding
• Kerala drought