Rains, Hailstorm ruin crops across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
Crops in over one lakh acres suffered damage after hailstorms lashed AP
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-04-14 07:35 GMT
Hyderabad: The recent unseasonal rains have damaged 20,000 acres of crops in Telangana, while the death toll in Rayalaseema rose to six on Monday. Crops in over one lakh acres suffered damage after hailstorms lashed AP.
Karimnagar, Nalgonda and Nizamabad were the worst affected in Telangana, while Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa, Chittoor and Srikakulam bore the brunt in Rayalaseema.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning for rainfall, thunderstorms and hailstorms for Telangana and Rayalaseema for two more days.
Parts of coastal AP too will receive rains, IMD officials said. Paddy, mango, jowar, turmeric and maize crops in 36 mandals in seven districts of Telangana were badly affected. Nearly 150 houses were damaged. As per preliminary government reports, rains have claimed three lives so far.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the families of the three persons dead in the rains and sought district-wise reports from collectors on the loss of lives, property and crops due to rains over the last six days. He said the government would extend financial assistance to the affected farmers and asked officials to remain on high alert till the rains subsided. Nizamabad recorded 586 mm on Monday. High rainfall was reported from Jukkal followed by Makloor, Navipet, Yedapally, Bodhan, Nagireddypet, Kammarpally and Nizamabad mandals. Isolated hailstorms were also reported from several locations.
Mahbubnagar, Adilabad, Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Karimnagar, Warangal and Hyderabad have been receiving rainfall since Saturday. Power supply was disrupted in these seven districts due to hailstorms.
Heavy rains kill 6 in AP, hit crops in lakh hectare
Given unseasonal rains over the last two days, six persons were killed after hailstorms lashed Andhra Pradesh. State Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is on a tour to China from Monday, reviewed the unseasonal rains in Rayalaseema with the Chief Secretary I.Y.R. Krishna Rao and other officials. On the directives of the CM the Chief Secretary held a video conference with concerned district collectors. AP Agriculture Minister, Prattipati Pulla Rao also attended the video conference. The most affected districts are Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa, Chittoor and Srikakulam.
Due to rain six persons were killed, two persons each in Anantapur, Kurnool and Kadapa districts. Among them five were killed due to lightning and one person was electrocuted. The government issued instructions to district collectors to pay Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia. Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds, damaged houses and brought down power cables across the state. The Chief Secretary said that the same norms of Hudhud may be applied to this calamity also. Initial reports claim standing crops which would have been harvested in the month of April have been damaged by the rain and strong winds. He has directed the district collectors to send preliminary reports on damages for immediate action.