Maharashtra floods: Loss estimated at Rs 5-10,000 crore

A preliminary assessment by industry bodies and political parties from Sangli and Kolhapur have estimated a loss of at least Rs 10,000 crore due to floods following the closure of industries, production of milk other products, severe damage of crops mainly sugarcane, automobile and allied sectors. They have said the loss may increase after proper assessment to be carried after the water level recedes.

Sources at the Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories in Maharashtra informed that 2.50 lakh hectare is under sugarcane cultivation in Sangli and Kolhapur districts. There are more than 45 sugar factories and they can crush 216.15 lakh tonnes of sugarcane. ''However, the preliminary assessment shows that almost entire standing crop in flood-hit areas is heavily damaged. There will be less sugarcane availability in the coming season. Besides, the majority of the factories have already paid an advance of Rs 5 lakh each to the sugarcane cutting labourers from the Marathwada region. They will lose the money,'' sources added. Western Maharashtra is facing the worst flood since 2005. Over 2 lakh displaced and 27 lost lives in 5 districts so far. Sangli and Kolhapur are worst hit.

CM Devendra Fadnavis after meeting flood-hit people said evacuation and saving people's lives is the top priority at the moment. He announced that the government has made enough medicine stock available. If needed additional medical teams will be sent from Mumbai. He further informed that restoration of electric supply is also on prime agenda.

(Indian Coast Guard personnel carry out rescue and relief operation at a flooded area in Kolhapur district on Thursday; NDRF personnel rescue an elderly woman using a water boat from flooded Chikhli Shiroli village in Kolhapur on Thursday - PTI, ANI)

Sangli district BJP president Prithviraj Deshmukh admitted that the situation is quite grim. "Heavy water logging is expected to damage sugarcane and other crops in the district.'' He informed that the construction of houses and plantation of trees in the riverbed and along the river were also responsible for floods. On the other hand, the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture office-bearer Shivaji Patil said the loss in Sangli district should not be less than Rs 5,000 crore. It could be more also. ''There has been practically no flood line. If it is there it is merely on the paper. After incessant rains water discharged from reservoirs coupled with blocked river flow led to massive floods. Some industries are located on the higher side while the homes, vehicles and small units have hit the most,'' he noted.

In case of Kolhapur, the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture senior vice president Lalit Gandhi said that damage is quite heavy for foodgrain market, general market, jewellery market and auto vendors. ''The severe damage is to agriculture and the civil area too as the private vehicles are stuck in the waterlogging,'' he added.

Gandhi demanded that the government should provide compensation immediately through special machinery and in the flood-hit areas adequate medical facilities and medicines be supplied on a war footing.

Congress legislator Satej Patil said sugarcane crop has been damaged. ''Most of the cooperative sugar factories will not be able to participate in the coming crushing session beginning November 1 for want of sugarcane and delicate state of finances,'' he noted.