Cyclone: Murasu Rainfall Deals Fresh Blow To Farmers In Godavari
Fresh rainfall has damaged crops that some farmers had been trying to save after draining stagnant water from their fields.
Kakinada: Farmers in the Godavari districts, already affected by cyclone Arnab, have suffered further crop losses due to the heavy rainfall brought by cyclone Murasu.
Fresh rainfall has damaged crops that some farmers had been trying to save after draining stagnant water from their fields.
The situation is particularly difficult for tenant farmers, who are facing pressure from landowners to pay lease amounts despite suffering heavy crop losses.
With agricultural losses mounting, farmers have sought an assessment of crop damage, timely compensation and relief for tenant farmers.
They have also urged the government to expedite electricity restoration in affected villages.
The Godavari districts have been experiencing heavy rain since the early hours of Monday under the influence of the cyclone.
Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, Eluru and West Godavari districts received rainfall.
By Monday morning, the reported rainfall figures were 529.8mm in East Godavari, 421.4 mm in Kakinada and 73.6mm in Eluru.
Bikkavolu recorded the highest rainfall at 50.6mm.
Other readings included 47.4mm in Kadiyam, 46.2mm in Kapileswarapuram and Rayavaram, 46mm in Naparthi and Mandapeta, and 31.6mm in both Rajamahendravaram Urban and Rural.
Korukonda recorded the lowest rainfall at 3.4mm.
In Kakinada district, Tuni recorded the highest rainfall at 34.4mm, while Prathipadu received the lowest at 5.4mm.
Heavy rainfall affected Kakinada and its surrounding areas, inundating low-lying localities.
The rains also caused electricity poles to fall, leaving several rural villages, particularly in Konaseema, Kakinada and the Godavari districts, without power.
Continuing rainfall has hampered restoration work.
Meanwhile, the Konaseema district collector R. Mahesh Kumar has directed irrigation officials to clear trees, branches, silt and other debris from the district’s main canals and drains following the cyclone and strong winds.
He asked them to ensure that the debris did not obstruct the flow of water.
Reviewing the impact of the cyclone rains with officials at Amalapuram on Monday, the collector directed that cleaning of all canals and drains be completed within 15 to 20 days.
He also asked officials to involve presidents and members of water users’ associations in assessing silt accumulation, obstructions in canals and drains, and cyclone damage.
The collector said farmers and representatives of the associations had a thorough understanding of local conditions and that their participation would help make the damage assessment transparent and reflect the situation on the ground.