THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Animal husbandry department (AHD) has pegged the initial estimate of loss in the sector due to floods at Rs 51 crore. The officials with AHD said that the actual loss could go up as more figures arrive from various flood-affected districts.It is estimated that nearly 50% of the cattle in flood-affected areas in Thrissur, Chengannur and Alleppey would have died and the department is recording similar loss in case of poultry and goat. Each district has a cattle population between 75,000 -1 lakh, as per AHD estimates. Deaths of cattle and poultry have also been reported from Idukki and Wayanad, where many landslides had occurred.“In many flood-affected areas, it was impossible for anyone to take the animals with them. Those animals which were let off might not have reached high grounds, as the extent of flooding was huge,” said an official with AHD.Of the 14 lakh cattle in the state, only around 2 lakh have been insured. The department sets a target of 60,000 cattle every year and only milk yielding cows are included under insurance coverage. “So, although a farmer would have lost calves, goats and poultry, the insurance will apply only to milch cows. The insurance amount starts from Rs 50,000 for a cow and up to this amount, the government has subsidized the premium,” officials said.The department is now relying on unique identification process for cows and geo-mapping which was successfully carried out earlier to avoid possible disputes among farmers over ownership of cows.The scientific burial of animal carcasses is also being done after removing the eartag for future claims for compensation. A team comprising the secretary of local body, livestock inspector, a veterinary doctor and health inspector of the local body has started monitoring the burial of carcasses in different areas.

Stay updated with all the Latest Kochi headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.