Rural Economy Collapses in the North: MP Selvam

06-Mar-2026

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Northern Province’s livestock farming has suffered a ‘silent catastrophe.’ Sudden drops in temperature and continuous rainfall over the past 48 hours have killed thousands of livestock. MP Selvam Adaikalanathan of Vanni emphasized that this is not just an animal loss but a complete collapse of the rural economy affecting thousands of families.

Speaking in Parliament on March 5, he urged the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Plantation, and Irrigation to urgently address the crisis, noting that preliminary reports indicate thousands of cattle, buffalo, and goats have died. Veterinary reports attribute the deaths to severe cold and insufficient shelter in grazing areas.

Estimated direct losses from livestock alone exceed Rs. 150 million. He questioned whether the Ministry has conducted proper counts and compensation for affected livestock owners and farmers, and requested clarification on emergency support and long-term mitigation plans to safeguard against future climatic disasters.