Hyderabad: The state government has put the death toll on account of flash rains that lashed the state on Thursday at nine.
Commissioner and principal secretary of revenue department (disaster management) R.V. Chandravadan submitted a report to the government on Friday stating that nine deaths have occurred across the state due to sudden rains and lightning.
Nalgonda, Nagarkurnool and Warangal districts witnessed two deaths each. There was one death each in Bhoopalapally, Ranga Reddy and Medak districts.
The disaster management department has recommended an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to be given to those who died due to lightning.
The state government has directed officials to transport damaged paddy to rice mills immediately and ensure farmers get the maximum support price (MSP).
Mr Chandravadan told collectors of all districts to remain alert for the next five days as there are chances of rains and hailstorms. The agriculture and marketing departments have been asked to take all precautionary measures at market yards and procurement centres to protect foodgrains from rains.
The worst affected are paddy, maize and mango.
Agriculture secretary C. Parthasarathi said teams have been deployed to districts to assess the damage caused to crops and submit a report within a week.
The government is expected to announce input subsidy to affected farmers after going through the report.
Meanwhile, civil supplies commissioner Akun Sabharwal held a meeting with officials on Friday to take stock of the situation in market yards and procurement centres.
He appointed nine special officers who are assigned the responsibility of transporting damaged foodgrains in market yards to rice mills immediately and ensure farmers get MSP for damaged paddy. Mr Sabharwal directed officials to ensure that the amount should be credited to farmers in their bank accounts within 48 hours after procurement.
He instructed officials to provide adequate number of tarpaulins in all market yards to cover foodgrain stocks from getting drenched by sudden rains in the coming days and to immediately shift the procured foodgrains in market yards to godowns.
As per preliminary estimates, foodgrains in market yards located in Siddipet, Jagitial, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, and Janagoan districts suffered huge losses.
Civil supplies minister Etela Rajender, and marketing minister T. Harish Rao directed district collectors and department officials to remain on high alert till the procurement season is completed.
