HYDERABAD, Sept 12: Crops that were almost ready for harvesting have been completely destroyed in the Hyderabad (rural) taluka and loses to farmers run into million of rupees.

Villagers said that there was shortage of fodder for livestock which was also hit by throat diseases.

The poultry industry has suffered losses in the area as well. A large number of villages are still under rainwater and remained disconnected with metalled roads.

Not a single relief camp has been set up in the taluka because the area is yet to get attention of the district and Sindh governments for relief and rescue work.

Only two talukas of the district — Latifabad and Qasimabad— have been declared as calamity affected by the Sindh chief minister.

A visit to several UCs of the rural taluka by this correspondent on Tuesday revealed that cash crops like cotton and sugarcane had been completely destroyed.

Vegetables including onion, chillies, millet and fruit orchards have also been damaged due to rains.

Rural taluka nazim Khawind Bux Jahejo said that 25 to 30 pumping machines were operating in the taluka against requirement of around 200 machines.

He said that only two machines had been provided by the Hyderabad DCO for pumping out rainwater.

The nazim blamed the district and Sindh governments for paying no attention to the taluka which continued to be neglected.

“I agree with the chief minister that compensation for crops cannot be given to growers but at least dhal and abiyana dues and interest on agricultural loans should be waived by provincial and federal governments”, Mr Jahejo said.

He said that no relief camp was set up in the taluka because the taluka municipal administration did not have money to bear the expenses.

He said that Qasim Solangi, Laung Shoro, Ghulam Hussain and Anwar Shah and several others were booked for making cuts in the canals.

The condition in villages of Seri, Hatri, Husri and Tando Fazal UCs is no different as knee-deep water is still standing with no immediate measure in sight to drain out rainwater.

The villages where water is standing are: Gul Mohammad Shoro, Karo Patel, Umer Machhi Goth near the lined channel, Bahram Shoro, Phullan Baladi, Haris Panwhar, Haji Jumo Boro, Agey Dino Panwhar Jahanjo, Nooh Jahanjo, Raheem Solangi, Shafi Solangi, Noor Shah, Mehrab Solangi, Jam Wakoo, Dino Wako, Mir Khan Panwhar, Khakho Machhi, Sukhpur, Ahmed Khan Alamni and Qasim Solangi.