Thiruvananthapuram, Tuesday, January 11, 2011: The State government today informed that the heavy monsoon rains in the State had caused an agricultural damage worth Rs. 1145 crore. The government submitted this report to the seven member Central team, who arrived in Kochi for assessing the damage inflicted to agriculture crop and property caused by the monsoon rains.

Torrential rain had inflicted heavy damage to crops and property in different parts of the State. Floodwaters damaged many roads, bridges, canals and property in many parts of the State, which is estimated to be 160 crore rupees, according to the reports submitted by the Public Works department.

The Central team headed by N S Kalsi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs would visit the rain hit areas in the State, till Thursday. The team will visit Ernakulam, Idukki, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram districts in two batches.

State Revenue Minister KP Rajendran informed that the State Cabinet had already sanctioned Rs.10 crore to take up rehabilitation work in the rain-affected areas. But this would hardly be sufficient for the purpose given that the rain had damaged around 940 km of village roads and caused extensive damage to property and crops.