Cattle died in their thousands in floods

Kottayam: At least 50,000 cattle died in the floods in the state, alongside 2.75 lakh domestic animal loss.

Estimates from 11 districts put total cattle loss at 47,000, and death of fowls including duck and chickens stand at 2.7 lakh.

More than one lakh ducks swept away in both Kutanad and upper Kutanad. District authorities would file to revenue department the complete estimate of animal loss by Friday.

Animals died in the flood include caged ones like cats and birds.

Hundreds of animals died in all flood-ravaged areas including Kutanad, upper Kutanad, Pathanamthita, Aranmula, and Perumbavur.

Animals lay dead in yards of homes, pathways, ponds and waterbodies. They are putrefying by hour.

Most of the animals unleashed ahead of floods are estimated to be dead, the revenue department was briefed.

Authorities would specially take stock of animals that famers bought through bank loans.

Also, large swaths of farms have been damaged in the floods. Governments directed officials to perform animal-count only after people returned home.

Animal husbandry department would be tasked with the duty, and deserving compensation would be made.

Domestic animals were the major source of income to most families. The worst-hit are the duck farmers of Kutanad.

A lot of families stayed in the submerged homes refusing to abandon domestic animals. Many quit homes only at the compulsion of the rescuers.

Alongside, report of animals dying en masse cause concerns. Health department directed officials to remove them. District authorities would step in to do the same.