ANANTAPUR: Heavy rainfall continued to hit the standing crops in several parts of Rayalaseema region for the past four days. Mango, papaya and banana orchards suffered major losses in Anantapur and Kadapa areas while paddy crop was hit badly in its peak stage of harvesting in Kurnool, Nandyal, Sathya Sai and Anantapur districts.
Farmers left their tomatoes in the fields after heavy waterlogging and the prices fell in Annamayya and Anantapur districts. As there already were excess crops in other parts, the Madanapalle tomato market saw prices coming down and farmers said they were unable to get back even the wages they paid for the harvesting process.
Mango crops suffered massive damage due to continuous gusty winds in the region. Mangoes fell down in hundreds of acres. The orchards were already hit badly during the early part of the season in January.
In Kadapa district, more than 10,000 acres of mango orchards existed and the fruits got damaged at peak stage across Kadapa, Annamayya and Kurnool areas.
Proddatur witnessed 102 mm rainfall followed by Chennur with 87.2 mm and Pulivendula with 53 mm since Sunday night. Kadapa district reported 1328 mm rainfall as against the district’s average rainfall of 36.9 mm.
In Satyasai district, the NP Kunta mandal received the highest rainfall of 80 mm followed by Talupula mandal with 60 mm rainfall on Sunday night. Satyasai district received a total of 735 mm rainfall as against the district average of 23 mm.
