Cyclone Montha ravages 4.47 lakh acres of crops, over 2.5 lakh farmers hit in Telangana

A preliminary report by the Telangana government reveals that Cyclone Montha and its associated rains have damaged standing crops across 4.47 lakh acres in 179 mandals, affecting over 2.53 lakh farmers. Warangal, Khammam, and Suryapet are among the worst-hit districts, with paddy and cotton suffering the most.

Hyderabad: Standing crops in 4,47,864 acres across the State have been affected by the severe cyclonic storm “Montha” and the heavy rains triggered by it in 179 revenue mandals across 12 districts, putting as many as 2.53 lakh farmers at risk of severe losses. This was revealed by a preliminary damage assessment report released by the State government on Thursday.

The worst-hit district is Warangal, where 1,30,200 acres were damaged across 13 mandals, affecting 80,500 farmers. Paddy and cotton bore the maximum brunt, with 70,700 acres of paddy and 55,000 acres of cotton submerged or flattened.

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Close behind is Khammam, where 62,400 acres were inundated in 21 mandals, impacting 42,195 farmers, including 36,893 acres of paddy, 22,574 acres of cotton, and 2,923 acres of chilli.

In Suryapet, 56,330 acres across 16 mandals were damaged, affecting 17,662 farmers, with 48,444 acres of paddy and 7,886 acres of cotton lost. Nalgonda reported 52,071 acres affected across 22 mandals, impacting 25,723 farmers, including 28,055 acres of paddy and 23,911 acres of cotton.

Other affected districts include Hanamkonda, where 34,718 acres in 14 mandals were damaged. This mainly included 33,348 acres of paddy, affecting 24,886 farmers.

In Nagarkurnool, crops across 33,559 acres were left damaged across 20 mandals and 14,388 farmers impacted, including 18,647 acres of cotton, 10,585 acres of paddy, 2,674 acres of groundnut, and 945 acres of pulses.

As for Mahabubabad, crops in 26,029 acres were flattened and damaged in 18 mandals affecting 15,614 farmers. This included 16,617 acres of paddy and 8,782 acres of cotton.

Jangaon saw 25,025 acres affected in 12 mandals, impacting 8,228 farmers, while Karimnagar reported 23,549 acres damaged across 15 mandals, affecting 21,462 farmers, mostly in paddy (15,987 acres). Smaller but notable losses were recorded in Siddipet (1,863 acres, 10 mandals, 928 farmers), Bhadradri Kothagudem (1,452 acres, 8 mandals, 734 farmers), and Mahabubnagar (668 acres, 10 mandals, 713 farmers).

Statewide, paddy remains the most affected crop, with 2,82,379 acres (63 percent of total damage) destroyed, followed by cotton at 1,51,707 acres (34 percent). Other crops damaged include maize (4,963 acres), chilli (3,613 acres), pulses (1,228 acres), groundnut (2,674 acres), and other horticulture crops (1,300 acres).

Agriculture officials said the current figures were preliminary. Field verification is still underway in remote and inaccessible areas, and the final tally could vary, they said.