Heavy rains cause damage to crops in Austria

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Heavy rains in Austria over the weekend have caused over 15 million U.S. dollars of damage to crops, leaving some farmers struggling for their livelihoods, ORF reported Monday.

The rain and subsequent flooding primarily affected the eastern, western, and southern regions of the state of Styria, leaving thousands of hectares of farmland to be written off, and for some farmers amounting to yield losses of 100 percent of their total crops.

The pumpkin fields that the state is well-known for were worst-affected by the rains, with salad and corn crops also heavily damaged.

State Councillor Johann Seitinger said only if good weather remains stable in the coming days and weeks will farmers be able to see how much of their crops can still be harvested, if any at all.

In addition he stated the government will provide a relief package for the farmers, for which he has already been in contact with Federal Minister of Agriculture Andrae Rupprechter, and that he expects the costs to amount to "many millions."

Director of the Chamber of Agriculture in Styria Werner Brugner said the affected farmers are now able to report the damages to local municipalities, following which official loss estimates will take place.

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