COLOMBO, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- About 4,707 farmers across five Sri Lankan districts have reported drought-related damage to roughly 6,073 acres of paddy land, prompting authorities to accelerate compensation assessments and payments, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board said Wednesday.
Anuradhapura recorded the largest affected area at 2,200 acres involving 1,900 farmers, followed by Monaragala with 1,334 acres and 960 farmers. Polonnaruwa reported 1,100 acres affecting 560 farmers, Ampara 1,004 acres involving 505 farmers, and Hambantota 435 acres affecting 782 farmers.
Water shortages caused by the prevailing dry conditions have also affected maize and other crops in the five districts.
Board officials are inspecting damaged farmland, while arrangements are being made to release compensation for already reported losses once assessments are completed.
Farmers suffering losses to six designated crops, including paddy and maize, are eligible for compensation of up to 100,000 Sri Lankan rupees (301 U.S. dollars) per hectare, covering a maximum cultivated extent of five acres. ■