Thiruvalla: Two farmers who complained of discomfort after spraying pesticide at a paddy field in Peringa, Upper Kuttanad, have died. The deceased were identified as Sanalkumar, 42, from Kazhuppil Colony and Mathai Isho, 68.
Sanalkumar sprayed pesticides paddy fields at Vengal, Irukara, along with four others using motor pumps on Wednesday. Mathai Isho was merely watching them work. All of them were severely fatigued by evening and admitted to Changanassery Taluk Hospital. Four of them were discharged after first aid. Sanalkumar and Mathai Isho died Saturday morning. Postmortem were held at Kottayam Medical College.
The farmers were using different kinds of pesticides. A high concentration of pesticide could have led to the deaths, said the police. The pesticides, applied in more than twice the prescribed dose on Wednesday, were not approved for use by the agriculture department.
Sanalkumar is survived by wife Lavanya and children Sethu and Devika. He will be cremated at 10am at Thiruvalla SC crematorium.
Mathai Isho is survived by wife Achamma, children Shaison, Vinci, Shaiji and son-in-law Biju. His funeral will be held at Bethany St George Orthodox Church in Vengal at 2pm.
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