Heavy Rainfall in Kottayam Delays Farming Season, Farmers Seek Government Help
Heavy rainfall in Kottayam, Kerala, has caused significant trouble for farmers as their farming season, known as ‘Punchakrishi,’ has been delayed. The paddy fields are covered with rainwater, making it difficult to start farming again. Farmers are also facing issues with the growth of water plants.
Chandran, a paddy farmer, mentioned that most farmers have stopped farming due to the excessive rainfall and are pleading with the state government for help. He said, ‘I had received some money from the government, however, the other farmers have not received any money. Some of the farmers have pleaded to the government for their money, however except for the subsidy, we have not got any additional money.’
Chandran further added, ‘We only received Rs.700 this time and had received Rs. 900 the last time. The government should give money to all the farmers. Due to delays by the government, the farmers are not able to think of anything other than suicide.’
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Kerala recorded 13 cm of rainfall in Kasargod, 9 cm in Ernakulam, and 8 cm in Kozhikode and Thrissur till 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The death toll from the Wayanad landslides has risen to 158.
The Indian Army has ramped up its rescue operations, evacuating more than 1,000 people from the affected areas. The Army’s Southern Command reported that up to 1,000 personnel have been rescued using man-made bridges and human effort. Despite adverse climatic conditions and poor visibility, the Indian Air Force helicopters have conducted search and rescue operations, rescuing stranded people from a narrow strip of land.
Doubts Revealed
Kottayam -: Kottayam is a district in the state of Kerala, India. It is known for its beautiful landscapes and is an important center for the rubber and spice trade.
Kerala -: Kerala is a state in the southern part of India. It is famous for its backwaters, beaches, and rich culture.
Punchakrishi -: Punchakrishi is a traditional farming season in Kerala, mainly for growing paddy (rice). It is an important time for farmers to plant their crops.
paddy fields -: Paddy fields are fields where rice is grown. These fields need a lot of water, which is why they are often flooded.
financial aid -: Financial aid is money given by the government or other organizations to help people in need. In this case, it is given to farmers to help them recover from the damage caused by heavy rainfall.
Indian Army -: The Indian Army is the land-based branch of India’s military. They help protect the country and also assist in rescue operations during natural disasters.
Air Force -: The Air Force is a branch of the military that uses aircraft to protect the country and help in emergencies. They can quickly reach areas that are hard to get to by road.
rescue operations -: Rescue operations are efforts to save people who are in danger, such as during floods or landslides. These operations are often carried out by the military and other emergency services.
evacuated -: Evacuated means moving people from a dangerous place to a safer one. In this case, people were moved from flooded areas to safe shelters.
Wayanad -: Wayanad is another district in Kerala, known for its hills and forests. It has also been affected by heavy rainfall and landslides.
landslides -: Landslides happen when a large amount of earth, rocks, and debris slide down a slope. They can be very dangerous and are often caused by heavy rain.
death toll -: Death toll is the number of people who have died in a particular event, such as a natural disaster. In this case, it refers to the number of people who died in the Wayanad landslides.
