The sweltering summer heat is taking its toll on the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors in Kerala, the government said on Friday.
Heatwave conditions claimed the lives of 497 cows during the period from mid-February to April end, the office of Animal Husbandry Minister J. Chinchurani said. Of these, 105 cows died in Kollam district alone.
Agriculture Minister P. Prasad said preliminary reports pointed to losses to the tune of approximately ₹100 crore in March and April for the agriculture sector. Crop loss has been widely reported across the State, Mr. Prasad said after a review on Friday. Paddy, banana, vegetables, pepper, coffee, cocoa and cardamom crops have sustained heavy losses, according to him.
