Warangal: Farmers and others, who eagerly waited for the rains at the height of the summer, are now praying to God to stop the heavy rains that caused massive havoc in the Warangal region.
Farmers are cultivating around 17.74 lakh acres in the united Warangal district during this Kharif season. They mainly preferred cotton and are raising it in around 8.73 lakh acres.
They sowed the seeds after ploughing the fields in mid-June but faced problems in providing water to their fields as the Monsoon was delayed. They prayed to god for rain. When mild rainfall occurred in the beginning of July, they felt happy. But the heavy rains in the past few days are turning them wary.
J. Sambaiah, a farmer who sowed cotton in four acres in Laknepally village of Narsampet mandal told Deccan Chronicle that he sowed cotton seeds thrice in this Kharif. When he was waiting for the seeds to sprout, there was mild rainfall and it brought cheers. This however was followed by heavy rains in recent days, which dashed his hopes of good returns.
The seeds cannot sprout and saplings cannot grow in waterlogged conditions. They turn red and die. All the hard work done by us will turn waste,” he said.
Meanwhile, the agriculture officials said cotton, one of the major crops for Kharif, might not cover the planned 50 to 60 lakh acres this time. It was sown only on 37.98 lakh acres across the state. “There is hardly any time left for the farmers to carry out the sowing process after the present heavy rains,” they said.
Associate director of the Regional Agriculture Research Station (RARS), Uma Reddy, said if any region received around 60 mm to 80 mm of rainfall, it would be better for those who depend on rainfall to cultivate corn, groundnut and pulses. “Farmers can sow the seeds for cultivation until August 15. If the cultivation is delayed due to the heavy rains, they must opt for other crops,” he suggested.
With lack of proper drainage system, not only the low-lying areas and the colonies in the surroundings GWMC were inundated, but also those in the heart of the tri-cities of Hanamkonda, Warangal and Kazipet. The drainage canals and nalas were overflowing with heavy rains for the past three days.
A resident of P Sarangapani, living at Battala Bazaar in Warangal city, alleged that there was negligence on the part of the state government and local BRS party leaders vis-a-vis development of the historic Warangal city. “As a result, several colonies are inundated with even a mild rainfall; and with heavy rains as in the past few days, the problems for the people turn worse.”
