OSLO, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian farmers are expected to claim more than 1.3 billion kroner (159 million U.S. dollars) as a compensation after summer draught damages, newspaper Aftenposten reported Wednesday.
That is 200 million kroner more than previously estimated in August, as more than 12,000 applications are expected to be handed over to the authorities, the report said.
Different parts of the country suffered unevenly from the extreme drought and strong heat.
"Local rain showers have also varied widely in areas hit by drought. That is why there was large variation between family holdings also within the same county," the Norwegian agricultural directorate was quoted as saying.
"There was some rainfall in August, but it was too late for many. The grain was almost mature and the meadows have responded to the rainfall to varying degrees," it said.
The scope rate of crop failure was very difficult to estimate, both for municipalities and counties. Large areas are affected and losses are first documented after the crop is sold.
According to Lars Petter Bartnes, head of the Norwegian Agrarian Association, it is not surprising that the claims for compensation rise.
The total loss for agriculture is much higher than previously thought, he confirmed to news agency NTB. (1 U.S. dollar = 8.18 kroner)
