Imphal, August 20: As many as 40,002 hectares of paddy fields in the four districts of Manipur have been affected by the devastating flood that is presently gripping the State ands already the State Agriculture Department has noted with concern that this may lead to an acute shortage of rice in the months to come.

The Agriculture Department drew this dismal picture on the basis of intensive surveys conducted every alternate day since August 14, disclosed a well-placed source today.

Of the total 40,002 paddy fields destroyed, 16,200 hectares are in Thoubal district alone followed by Imphal East (13,105) and Imphal West (6,885).In Bishnupur district the paddy fields destroyed is pegged at 3,812 hectares.

Field staff of the department headed by the District Agriculture Officer have been pressed into service in each of the affected district to survey the situation, said the source and added that their reports are submitted to the Directorate every alternate day.

The reports have also been submitted to the relief Department.

A first hand report of the department has also been dispatched to the monitoring cell of the Ministry of Agriculture on August 16.Apart from the field survey, the authorities of the Remote Sensing Department are also observing the flood situation, added the source.