MALAPPURAM: As the severe
drought due to the shortage of rainfall has resulted in substantial crop
loss and drinking water shortage in various parts of Malappuram district, the authorities have decided to take immediate measures to address the situation.

The municipalities and panchayats will distribute drinking water free-of-cost through tanker vehicles.

A special meeting presided by the urban affairs minister Manjalam Kuzhi Ali
held at district collector’s chamber has informed that each
municipality and panchayat will spend Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh
respectively for the distribution of drinking water in respective
regions.

The meeting has decided to complete the construction
works of temporary check dams, which are being set up across the
district. A total of 535 check dams would be constructed in 15 blocks in
the district. Government has already earmarked Rs 2.5 crore for the
works.

According to the agricultural department, paddy
cultivation in 46 hectares have been destroyed due to the unavailability
of water and paddy crops in 1972 hectares have been partially
destroyed, as the district had suffered a substantial shortfall in
rainfall.

Farmers had also suffered an additional loss of Rs 4
crore in summer. The actual loss of crops due to sudden downpour is yet
to be ascertained.

Plantain cultivation in 1,165 hectares and
vegetable cultivation in more than 100 hectares also have been destroyed
owing to water shortage in the district.

Vengara, Valancheri,
Edarikode, Malappuram, Tanur, Nilambur, Chungathara, Thiruvali, Vandur,
Perinthalmanna and Athavanadu are the worst-affected region in the
district.

Crops were also affected due to the failure of the southwest and northeast monsoons.

As per the criteria of state government, only the farmers who suffered
complete loss of crops deserve the compensation amount. More than 5,400
farmers have already submitted application for the compensation in the
district.

Meanwhile farmers in Vazhayoor, Vazhakkad,
Edavannappara and Areekode regions heaved a sigh of relief because some
water was provided to them from the Oorkkadavu-regulator-cum bridge in
Chaliyar river

According to the agricultural department sources, only 3% farmers in the district are the beneficiaries of various farm insurance schemes.

Meanwhile, the farmers are demanding more compensation as most of them
have lost their livelihood and many of those who started cultivation
have burnt their fingers. It is estimated that 50% of the paddy and more
than 60% of other crops had already withered.