Crops over 15,000 hectares damaged in West Godavari

Kakinada: Civil supplies minister Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao disclosed that crops over 15,000 hectares has been damaged in the recent cyclonic rains in West Godavari district.

He made the announcement after visiting Duvva, Varimedu, Tirupathipuram and other villages on Thursday along with West Godavari district collector P. Prashanthi.

The minister said state government has relaxed the norms of procurement and farmers can take their damaged paddy to their respective Rythu Bharosa Kendras.

The collector said that due to the overflowing Yerra Kaluva and Yanmadurru drain, water is entering into Tadepalligudem, Tanuku, Attili, Pentapadu, Ganapavaram, Palakoderu and Bhimavaram towns. She said all precautionary steps are being taken to avoid any damage.