Konaseema devastated

Helen strikes a severe blow to farmers in Godavari districts

• Unofficial death toll put at 11
• Coconut plantations worst-hit
• Paddy, cotton, mirchi & vegetable crops in lakhs of acres damaged
• Phailin loss is yet to be estimated in some areas

Hyderabad: The severe cyclonic storm ‘Helen’, which severely hit farmers in the Godavari districts, besides Krishna and Guntur, has devastated the Konaseema area, in East Godavari district, causing heavy damage to coconut plantations in about one lakh acres.

Six persons have been killed in the rain-hit districts—two each in Krishna and East Godavari and one each in West Godavari and Srikakulam, according to official figures. However, unconfirmed figures put the toll at 11.

Paddy, cotton, mirchi crops spread over lakhs of acres in four districts suffered unprecedented damage, as heavy rain, accompanied by high-speed winds of 100 kmph, submerged them. The heavy crop loss comes within a month after the cyclone Phailin struck several coastal districts. The Phailin damage is yet to be estimated.

The Konaseema area has been crippled, as farmers there have also suffered heavy loss of commercial crops. Coconut trees in Ambajipet, P Gannavaram, Ayinapalli, Mamidikuduru and Rajole mandals have been completely grounded. Vegetable crops like ‘donda’, banana, ladies finger (benda), besides betel leaves, have been destroyed, resembling the loss caused 30 years back, when a similar cyclone had struck East Godavari district.

The coconut plantation loss then was in 30 lakh acres. The damage now is limited to about one lakh acres, as estimated by officials. A similar area under paddy crop, which was ready for harvest in some cases, has also been lost. Farmers have invested Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per acre to raise paddy.