Trouble for farmers in Kerala as their farming season ‘Punchakrishi’ gets delayed due to heavy rain

Kottayam (Kerala) [India], July 31 (ANI): Heavy rainfall in Kottayam has led to trouble for the farmers as their farming season "Punchakrishi" has been delayed.
Due to heavy rainfall, all the paddy fields in Kerala have been covered with rainwater, making it difficult to transfer the water from the field and start farming again.
The farmers have also been facing the issue of the growth of the water plants. Most farmers in the state have stopped farming because of the excessive rainfall.
Chandran, a paddy farmer who has been suffering because of the rainfall said that most of the farmers have been pleading to the state government to help them resume farming. However, apart from the subsidy given, they have not been given anything.
"I had received some money from the government, however, the other farmers have not received any money. Some of the farmers have pleaded to the government for their money, however except for the subsidy, we have not got any additional money," he said.
Chandran further added, "We only received Rs.700 this time and had received Rs. 900 the last time. The government should give money to all the farmers. Due to delays by the government, the farmers are not able to think of anything other than suicide."
Meanwhile, as per IMD, Kerala recorded 13 cm of rainfall till 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday in Kasargod, 9 cm in Ernakulam, and 8 cm in Kozhikode and Thrissur.
Earlier today, the death toll due to the Wayanad landslides rose to 158.
The Indian Army has ramped up its rescue operations and has evacuated more than 1,000 people from the affected areas to safety.
The Army's Southern Command said that up to 1,000 personnel have been rescued so far using man-made bridges and human effort.
Despite the adverse climatic conditions and poor visibility, the Indian Air Force helicopters have conducted a search and rescue operation and have rescued stranded people from a narrow strip of land. (ANI)