RAJBIRAJ: Crops worth more than Rs 300 million have been destroyed by flash flood and inundation in Saptari district recently.

Saptari District Agriculture Development Office initial estimate and survey showed that at least 15 acres of arable land have been swept away and 20 acres of paddy field have turned into river banks.

Senior Officer at the District Agriculture Development Office Bhagirath Yadav said paddy and vegetable crops worth Rs 250 million and fish ponds worth Rs 50 million have been damaged in the disaster.

"Government should provide seed and other agricultural equipment as relief package to farmers hit hard by flood," Yadav stressed.

He further said that the District Agriculture Development Office has requested Rs 150 million rupees for alternative agriculture under grant programme to the Ministry.

Yadav also warned that failure to launch such programme would lead to food scarcity in the district as cultivated paddy and vegetable crops have been destroyed in the flood.

Flash floods at Khado, Triyuga, Jeeta, Balan, Koshi, Amaha, Khadak, Sundari, Bihulal rivulets affected Tilathi, Sakarpura, Mainakadari, Lohajara, Barshain, Madhawapur, Potaha, Vardaha, Saptakoshi Municipality, Sarasawati in the district.

More than 26 districts in Terai were inundated due to flash flood triggered by incessant rainfall for the last four days. At least 145 people lost their lives and 3 dozen other are reported missing.