Impact Assessment of Kerala Flood 2018 on Agriculture of Farmers in Edathua Panchayat, Kuttanad Taluk of Alappuzha District

Abstract

The people of Kerala have suffered the worst natural calamity, deluge from 15th august 2018, and this continued for a week. Due to the heavy rainfall, which was more than 164%, the usual rain resulted in filling dams to maximum capacity made all barriers opened and caused over flooding. A humble attempt was made to conduct an “Impact assessment of Kerala flood 2018 on agriculture of farmers in Edathua Panchayat, Kuttanad Taluk of Alappuzha district. 45 flood-affected farmers were examined with a pre-structured interview schedule. The impact of the flood had distorted the life of farmers; the unexpected wave had washed away their cultivations. The surge has not only affected the fields but also their homes, live stocks, aquaculture, agriculture implements, assets, and so on. During the flood, the government has provided urgent aid and relief material promptly and without any restrictions. The major problems faced by farmers are the inadequacy of assistance, reduction in yield and lack of pure water, delay in getting support, repayment of the loan, and so on. The government should help these farmers to overcome these conditions; otherwise, they will suffer colossal debt, which would be a reason for them to leave this sector.