Kamareddy farmers still await compensation a month after floods

More than a month after heavy rains devastated Kamareddy, farmers continue to wait for government compensation despite extensive crop and property damage. Tribal hamlets and agricultural lands remain buried under sand, with borewells and equipment destroyed.

Kamareddy: It has been over a month since heavy rains lashed Kamareddy and caused extensive damage to crops. Despite assurances from the government, farmers, who suffered crop loss, are still waiting for compensation.

This was observed by a team from Telangana Vikasa Samithi, comprising Professor K Seetaram Rao, Dr Erroju Srinivas, Hariprasad, Balunayak, Lingam, and others, who visited the rain-affected area to study the current situation.

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Apart from disrupting normal life in Kamareddy, heavy rains have severely affected tribal hamlets (thandas) in Rajampet mandal, Amaradi Colony, Mallareddypalli, and Chinna Mallareddypalli.

The situation on the ground remains grim across several areas. Floods caused breaches in several tanks, inundated villages, colonies, and agricultural fields. This resulted in extensive crop damage and property loss.

When the Telangana Vikasa Samithi members interacted with farmers, they said Agriculture Extension Officers (AEOs) had recorded all crop damage details. Yet, there has been no compensation so far.

In Chinna Mallareddypalli, the floods damaged borewells, agriculture pumps, starters, and other equipment. Farmers stated that no financial assistance has been provided for their losses.

According to a local farmer, many ryots invested nearly Rs 30,000 per acre in paddy cultivation. Due to floods, they received no yield. Normally, an acre yields 35 to 40 quintals of paddy.

Based on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) assured by the government, at Rs 2,380 per quintal, the farmers would have earned Rs 86,000. They estimated that restoration of sand-filled fields and making them fit for cultivation would result in an additional cost of Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 per acre.

Similarly, in Lingapalli, farmer Rajayya’s borewell was severely damaged and he has been unable to resume farming. In Ellapur Thanda, about 50 acres of agricultural land is covered in sand deposits. The electricity poles, which collapsed, have been temporarily repaired.

Another farmer Jagapathi and his brother suffered crop loss after cultivating their 2.5 acres. They have not received any financial assistance. They also lamented that the floods destroyed household items, including a refrigerator and television.

According to Ambadi Srinivas from Nadimi Thanda, while partial assistance was received for property loss in some houses, many families have received no help. Srinivas lost paddy cultivated in 50 guntas and vegetables cultivated in 10 guntas.

The breach of the Kondapur tank bund triggered severe flooding in the region. Essential documents, including students’ certificates, were washed away. While some assistance was received from philanthropic donors, they continue to await government support.