Heavy rains damage crops in Adilabad, Mancherial, Asifabad

Over 30,000 acres of crops were damaged by torrential rains in Adilabad, Mancherial and Kumram Bheem Asifabad districts. Farmers growing paddy, cotton, soya, maize and pigeon pea suffered major losses and demanded Rs. 50,000 per acre compensation from the government

Adilabad: Standing crops in over 30,000 acres were damaged by the recent torrential rains that lashed parts of Adilabad, Mancherial and Kumram Bheem Asifabad districts, causing heavy losses to farmers.

Several areas in the three districts witnessed incessant rains from August 16 to 18, disrupting normal life. Paddy, cotton, soya, pigeon pea and maize crops were submerged, adding to the woes of growers already troubled by a shortage of urea.

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According to officials, crops raised in 20,608 acres were affected in Adilabad district. Of these, paddy grown in 15,103 acres, soya in 2,900 acres, pigeon pea in 1,845 acres and maize in 660 acres were damaged, affecting 8,071 farmers from 434 villages.

In Mancherial district, crops on 7,868 acres were damaged, impacting 5,306 farmers in Kannepalli, Bheemini, Vemanapalli, Thandur and Nennal mandals. Kannepalli suffered the highest losses with 2,129 acres affected, followed by Bheemini with 1,206 acres.

In Kumram Bheem Asifabad district, crop damage was recorded on 6,453 acres, according to official estimates. Farmers said they had invested heavily and urged the government to provide compensation of around Rs. 50,000 per acre.

On the other hand, the rains helped the region overcome deficit rainfall. Adilabad district received 820 mm of rainfall between June 1 and August 22 against the normal 774 mm. Kumram Bheem Asifabad registered 908 mm against the normal 765 mm, while Mancherial saw 646 mm compared to the normal 676 mm.