NASHIK :
The aftermath of Cyclone Nisarga is resurfacing in the form of increased damage to crop, livestock and property in the district. The cyclone, which had battered North Maharashtra last Wednesday, has destroyed crop on 515 hectares and affected 776 farmers in 91 villages across Nashik district, thus further widening the horizon of devastation. The maize crop is the worst hit.
Meanwhile, the district administration has sent a primary assessment report to the government and is preparing to categorise damage report to seek fair compensation to the affected farmers. Under the categorised assessment of crop damage, the agriculture department conducts an assessment in specified formats of A, B, C, and D according to the category of crop and land under cultivation such as agricultural, horticultural, orchid fields and vegetables, to ensure fair compensation for the affected farmers.
According to the assessment report completed by the district administration and agricultural department, crops on 515 hectares including worst-hit maize, onion, pomegranates, sugarcane, tomatoes and vegetables were flattened completely, badly hitting tehsils of Nashik, Sinnar, Niphad and Igatpuri, while poultry farms, playhouses and onion sheds were sustained heavy damages.
As many as 23 villages in Sinnar tehsil were severely hit by torrential rains affecting 460 farmers and standing yellow corn crop, followed by flattening standing crops of 238 farmers in 24 villages in Nashik tehsil. The rains also partially affected tehsils of Malegaon, Satana, Nandgaon, Igatpuri, Niphad and Chandwad.
A decision on the relief package is expected this week. Usually, farmers get compensation of Rs 6800 to Rs 18000 per hectare for losses. The compensation for repairs and construction of houses ranges between Rs 6000 and Rs 6 lakh.
Estimated damage in hectares:
Maize – 256.60
Sugarcane – 31.60
Vegetables – 140.50
Orchard – 46.70
