Untimely rains cause huge damage to crops

Visakhapatnam: Under the influence of severe cyclonic storm, the Visakhapatnam district is witnessing strong winds with a speed of above 60 kmph with moderate rain since late Sunday night. Under the impact of strong gales, several horticulture crops including banana, papaya and vegetables were damaged at various places in the district.

Due to untimely rains, the sugarcane and paddy crops were severely damaged in thousands of acres. After failing of southwest monsoon rains, at majority areas in 21 mandals, the farmers did not start their second crop.

However, the farmers who are having irrigation facility cultivated sugarcane, paddy and various horticulture crops in mandals particularly Payakaraopeta, Nakkapalle, S Rayavaram, Chodavaram, Cheedikada, Anakapalle rural, Pendurty, Bheemili and Tagarapuvalasa. However, due to untimely rains accompanied with strong winds, the crops were damaged at several places including in Agency areas.

Twenty-one thatched houses were completely damaged in S Rayavaram, Nakkaplle and Atchutapuram mandals due to strong winds. Several thatched houses and asbestos roof sheds were partially damaged. Over 3,000 people have been shifted to various cyclone relief centres. Food, water and necessary medical aid were kept ready all the centres.

Meanwhile, as the situation is turning more threatening, several teams swung into action to rescue people from coastal villages. With the directions from district collector, the teacher and headmasters of all the government schools in Payakaraopeta, Nakkapalle, S Rayavaram, Atchuthapuram and Rambilli mandals attending on emergency duties.

The revenue officials shifted all the essential commodities and preparing food in the schools to distribute Phethai victims in the coastal belt. Special rescue teams led by senior officials monitoring the situation and guiding the ground level teams to ensure zero human loss in the cyclone-affected areas.

"At present, there is no casualties and cattle loss. However, the administration is receiving information about the crop losses in several areas. Once normalcy restored, the loss assessment will be taken. At several locations, the crops were damaged due to floods causing a big loss to the farming community,” a senior revenue official told The Hans India