Rayagada: Even as Titli retreated two weeks ago, it has left a trail of devastation in Rayagada district with the worst sufferers being farmers following the death of thousands of livestock and damage of acres of farmland due to the cyclone and the subsequent floods.
As per a preliminary report of the veterinary department, the cyclonic storm claimed 43 cows, 13 calves, 128 bullocks, one buffalo, 1,530 goats, 25 sheep, five pigs and 889 poultry in Rayagada block.
The number is expected to go up in the coming days as many farmers have not had the opportunity to properly account for their losses and many farm animals are still missing, sources said.
Titli, which made landfall in the state October 11 claimed 77 human lives and led to damage worth crores of rupees.
As per a survey done in 2012, this block had 18, 997 numbers of farm animals including 886 buffaloes, 20,696 goats, 841 sheep and 456 pigs. Post Titli, the number has drastically come down. For farmers and rearers who suffered huge crop loss due to the cyclone, the loss of animals has come as a double whammy.
While farmers were in a state of worry over the death of their farm animals, the government’s announcement for compensation against livestock death has come as a great relief for them.
Sources said farmers of 319 villages of 21 panchayats in this block lost a huge number of livestock to the cyclone. The report has been placed with the district administration.
In order to get compensation, the affected farmers are seen making beelines at the veterinary centres to collect the death certificate of their livestock.
Dr Prashant Samal of a veterinary centre said all applications would be verified before sending the final report to the government.
PNN
