The recent heavy rains have resulted in an estimated loss of nearly Rs. 71 billion due to extensive damage to paddy lands, according to Professor Wasantha Athukorala, Director of the Postgraduate Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Peradeniya and an expert in economics.
During the Maha season, approximately 2,136,000 acres of paddy land are typically cultivated. However, about 15% of this area has been severely affected by flooding, potentially reducing the country’s paddy yield by 477,000 metric tons. This translates to a decrease of 324,000 metric tons in rice production, representing a significant production value loss of Rs. 71 billion.
Furthermore, the government is likely to incur an additional expense of around Rs. 1,350 million to compensate farmers for the damaged farmlands. When factoring in production costs and government compensation, the total financial impact is estimated to be nearly Rs. 8,500 million.
The situation worsens when considering the broader effects on other crops, homes, and business establishments, which are expected to drive up the total economic cost substantially.
Professor Athukorala attributed the enormity of these losses to the inadequate maintenance of canals, drainage systems, and water outlets across the country, coupled with unregulated construction activities. These factors have compounded the damage caused by the heavy rains, highlighting the need for improved water management and infrastructure planning to prevent such catastrophes in the future.
— Premalal Wijeratne
