Agricultural scientists team to assess flood-affected areas in Bihar

Patna, Sept 26 : The Centre will send an agricultural scientists team to Bihar to review the losses in the flood-affected areas in the state.

Agriculture Secretary T. Nand Kumar has said that there was a shortfall in Kharif area coverage this year due to late arrival of monsoon and floods in some parts of the country.

Giving details about damage, he said 2.5 lakh hectares area has been damaged in Bihar and more than one lakh in Orissa and Assam due to floods.

Speaking on production of food grains for Kharif crop in 2008-09, he said more than 115 million tons of food grains production is expected for Kharif crop.

"The rice production of 83.25 million tons is expected to be a new record. The other production estimates include 27.39 million tons of coarse cereals, pulses 4.72 million tons, oilseeds 17.95 million tons, cotton 23.91 million tons and sugarcane 294.66 million tons," he further added.

The Kosi river, which burst a dam in Nepal, has heaped massive suffering on millions of people in downstream Bihar. Water levels are now receding there. But, millions are living on embankments, roads and in overcrowded camps in filthy conditions, exposed to infections and water-borne diseases.

ANI