By IANS
Lucknow : Crops worth Rs.12 billion have been destroyed in the floods in Uttar Pradesh with overall economic losses estimated at a whopping Rs.22 billion.
“Of the overall flood losses touching Rs.22 billion, agriculture alone has suffered damage to the tune of Rs.12.19 billion,” Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner Umesh Sinha told IANS.
“As much as 279,316 hectares of agriculture was inundated by the floodwaters of Ghagra, Saryu, Rapti and Rohin rivers across parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh,” he said.
“Damage to roads on account of the floods was estimated at Rs.3.26 billion, while electrical installations worth Rs.2.27 billion stood destroyed.” Sinha added.
Restoration of damaged drinking water facilities would further cost the state exchequer about Rs.460 million.
Meanwhile, water was fast receding from 15 flood-affected districts of the state. Around 60,000 displaced people were said to have returned to their homes, while about 140,000 were still camping at different relief camps waiting for water to recede from their villages.
The floods have claimed 173 lives so far.