The Kerala government has formally sought an emergency financial aid of ₹110 crore from the central government to address the severe losses inflicted on the state’s agricultural sector due to the recent torrential rains and floods. According to Agriculture Minister T. Siddique, the damages to farmland and crops have been estimated at approximately ₹99.29 crore as of Thursday evening. Over 36,829 farmers have been directly affected, with nearly 3,264 hectares of agricultural land inundated or otherwise damaged. The minister emphasized that the request for aid was urgent, stating that he had already written to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to expedite the release of funds. The devastation has been particularly acute in regions such as Kuttanad, where the agricultural heartland of Kerala has faced unprecedented challenges. In response, Minister Siddique announced plans to visit Kuttanad on Sunday, August 9, 2026, to assess the situation firsthand. A review meeting in Alappuzha has also been arranged to evaluate the impact on the agricultural community. Additionally, a meeting involving nationalized and cooperative banks is set for Monday to explore a dedicated financial package aimed at helping farmers recover and restart their operations. To manage the rising costs of essential produce ahead of the Onam festival, the Department of Agriculture has decided to organize around 2,000 fairs to stabilize vegetable prices. This initiative is backed by a ₹20 crore allocation from the Horticorp and Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam. The cabinet has also approved a 25% increase in the compensation provided to farmers for crop losses, reflecting the severity of the crisis. Beyond immediate recovery efforts, the state is looking to engage the younger generation in agriculture through new initiatives. The introduction of “kathir karshika clubs” in all schools aims to encourage student participation in farming activities, thereby fostering interest in the sector among future generations. The flooding has also caused substantial damage to infrastructure, with the Public Works Department estimating the cost of repairing roads, bridges, and causeways at ₹50 crore. The worst-hit districts include Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki, where landslides and flash floods have rendered several roads impassable. Officials have confirmed that the damage assessment is still ongoing, pending the complete receding of floodwaters. Despite these challenges, the PWD has assured that repairs will begin promptly, with the chief minister providing full backing for the restoration efforts. In Kottayam, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) reported losses of approximately ₹1.75 crore due to the heavy downpours. The Pala electrical circle, covering areas like Poonjar and Erattupetta, bore the brunt of the damage, with over ₹1 crore in losses. More than 863 instances of power line damage were recorded, impacting nearly 95,080 connections. While the disruption was extensive, power was fully restored within three days in the most affected zones. In contrast, some low-lying areas, such as Kumarakom and Thiruvarppu, experienced less damage due to prior relocation of critical equipment following the 2018 floods. Urban centers benefited from the use of aerial bundled cables, which minimized outage durations during the storm.
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