Flood in North Caucasus won't affect 2002 crop yield

The flood that struck the North Caucasus "will not affect the country's overall crop yield seriously," said Russia's Vice Premier and Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev, answering RIA Novosti's question on Friday.

The forecast for the 2002 crop yield places it at 70-73 tons, said Gordeyev. Nevertheless, the damage inflicted to the North Caucasus' agroindustrial complex is quite noticeable indeed, he added.

According to his words, the region will have to take "large-scale measures" to restore its production facilities and social infrastructure.

The worst problem facing the North Caucasian after the flood is the epizootic situation, which resulted from the death of a large number of cattle. Besides, the flood has disturbed several diseased cattle's burial sites. All cattle in the regions that suffered the flood will have to undergo vaccination.