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Journalism of Courage
When it rains,in India,it really rains. And that is a problem in the mostly parched sub-continental country. Prospects of heavy monsoon rain in India this year have raised the risk of floods in some regions that may hurt India’s cane,corn and rice crops.
But heavy rains can also help winter planting by raising soil moisture and ground water,weather officials said.
Data from India’s ministry of water resources shows that on an average,annual loss from floods in India is: Area affected: 7.351 million hectares
No. of people affected: 40.967 million
Human lives lost: 1,793
Cattle lost: 85,599
Houses damaged: 1,452,904
Value of houses damaged: 3.7 billion rupees
Crop area damaged: 3.725 million hectares
Value of crop damaged: 10,95132 billion rupees
Public Utilities damaged: 11,86 billion rupees
Total losses: 27,06 billion rupees ($575 million). Trade and government officials also say:
– Generally,rains benefit water-absorbing crops like rice,but excessive rains and floods reduce output.
– Last year,floods in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka hit output of oilseeds,corn,cotton and rice.
– Excessive rain can damage regular grades of rice grown in eastern and southern India,but premium grades like basmati gain.
– If rains are excessive in July,it can hurt soybean output. Five years ago,output fell 12 percent due to excessive rain. However,floods are rare in India’s soybean regions.
– Heavy rains recharge ground water levels,replenish dry reservoirs. Floods also improve soil fertility once they recede. ($1=47 rupees)
