Livestock losses in quake-hit districts estimated at Rs 19 million

KATHMANDU: The earthquake in Jajarkot and Rukum West districts has resulted in a loss of livestock valued at approximately Rs 19 million.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development made the estimation by calculating the average value of deceased cows, bullocks, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and fowls. Shabnam Shibakoti, the joint secretary and spokesperson for the ministry, revealed that the livestock loss is particularly pronounced in Jajarkot district.

Across both districts, 606 injured animals, including 592 in Jajarkot alone, have received treatment. The ministry has deployed two teams comprising veterinary doctors and technicians to provide medical assistance to animals in quake-hit areas. Dr. Laxmi Narayan Das leads the team in Jajarkot, while Dr. Rakesh Prajapati heads the team in Rukum West.

Simultaneously, the ministry is gathering information on the loss of food grains such as rice, wheat, corn, millet, etc., stored in houses affected by the earthquake. Insurance companies will compensate farmers with livestock insurance.

Shivakoti said that the government will prepare a standard for distributing compensation to farmers who suffered losses of livestock and food grains. Stating that the provincial and local governments have also developed distribution standards, she said relief and compensation would be administered through a centralized one-door system.

The magnitude 6.4 earthquake, which struck at 11:47 pm on November 3, claimed 157 lives in Jajarkot and Rukum West districts of Karnali Province, while over 200 were injured.