Heavy Rains, Gales Affect Crops In 34,000 Hectares In AP

The Godavari and Krishna rivers are receiving heavy inflows from upstream catchment areas and local streams.

A preliminary assessment found that agriculture crops, including paddy, maize, black gram, rajma and cotton, were inundated in 32,690 hectares covering 1,075 villages in 175 mandals. About 51,068 farmers were affected.

Crop-wise inundation included 30,528.66 hectares of paddy, 1,054.36 hectares of maize, 686.38 hectares of black gram, 396.91 hectares of cotton and 24 hectares of rajma.

The paddy crop is at various stages, from nursery and transplantation to tillering and flowering.

Agriculture authorities said the inundated crops could survive if the rain stops and stagnant water recedes from the fields and proper care is taken. With no rainfall in several parts of the state on Friday, officials said there were chances of the crops surviving.

Horticulture crops were damaged in about 1,058 hectares in 55 mandals across districts including Srikakulam, Anakapalli, East Godavari, Eluru, Palnadu, YSR Kadapa, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Parvathipuram Manyam.

Horticulture authorities said farmers would be eligible for relief if the crop damage exceeds 50 per cent, with compensation varying according to the crop.

Following directions from the state government, enumeration teams began field visits on Friday to assess the extent of damage or loss to agriculture and horticulture crops and submit reports with recommendations for relief as per norms.

Agriculture minister K. Atchannaidu held a teleconference with senior officials of the agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and fisheries departments and reviewed the situation arising from the rainfall and gales. He directed officials to conduct surveys to assess crop damage or loss.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Godavari and Krishna, along with inflows from local streams and rivulets, has increased the flow in both rivers. The water is being used to supply canals for late Kharif crops, store water in summer storage tanks and release excess water into the sea.

Water resources authorities were releasing 47,125 cusecs of Krishna water from Prakasam Barrage as the barrage received an inflow of 54,929 cusecs at 6 pm. Of this, 7,804 cusecs was being released into canals.

The Godavari was also receiving heavy inflows, with nearly 4.2 lakh cusecs of water being discharged into the sea from the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage by Friday evening. The water level was rising, with authorities expecting to announce the first flood warning.