Rains destroy commercial crops

- Maize, pulses & chilli in Atmakur sub-division & three mandals of Srisailam constituency, spread over 10,000 hectares, suffer extensive damage
- Officials estimate loss at Rs 30 crore
- Farmers, who took up kharif cultivation with Rs 30,000 loan suffered losses on account of rains
- Thirty days ago they had incurred a loss of Rs 80 crore as their crops withered due to deficit rainfall

Atmakur: Maize, pulses and chilli crops in Atmakur sub-division and three mandals of Srisailam constituency, spread over 10,000 hectares, suffered extensive damage following heavy rain that lashed the area. The chilli crop was ready for harvesting.

Officials estimate the loss at Rs 30 crore. Commercial crops in 17,500 hectares during the kharif season so far have been submerged. Commercial crops were damaged in Atmakur, Pamulapadu, Kothapalli, Mahanandi, Bandi Atmakur and Velugodu mandals.

Farmers, who have taken up kharif cultivation with a loan of Rs.30,000, suffered losses on account of rain and floods. Thirty days ago they had incurred a loss of Rs 80 crore as their crops withered due to deficit rainfall.

Following heavy rain and floods, to and fro transport links to 12 villages in Kothapalli mandal have been snapped for the last three days.

Meanwhile, the irrigation department staff repaired the cavity in the Siddapuram bund.