Telangana: Standing crops in over 20,000 acres damaged across Mancherial, Nirmal

Heavy rains have damaged standing crops on over 20,000 acres in Mancherial and Nirmal districts, affecting thousands of farmers for the second time this season. Officials report significant losses to cotton, paddy, and chilli, urging government compensation

Mancherial/Nirmal: Incessant rains over the past week have damaged standing crops on more than 20,000 acres across Mancherial and Nirmal districts, leaving thousands of farmers in distress for the second time this season.

Agriculture officials said crops such as cotton, paddy, and chilli on 13,126 acres were inundated in Mancherial district, affecting 7,781 farmers in Bheemini, Kannepalli, Vemanapalli, Kotapalli, Bellampalli, Kasipet, Chennur, Jaipur, and Jannaram mandals. Losses were estimated at Rs 17 crore, with cotton alone accounting for the bulk. Cotton grown on 8,107 acres was damaged to the tune of Rs 12.16 crore, while another 4,964 acres valued at Rs 4.96 crore were also destroyed.

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Just days earlier, crops on 7,868 acres were lost, affecting 5,306 farmers, mostly from Kannepalli and Bheemini mandals. During March-May, unseasonal rains had damaged crops on 3,505 acres, affecting 2,310 farmers. Farmers said they had invested heavily in cultivation and urged the government to grant compensation of at least Rs 50,000 per acre.

Meanwhile, in Nirmal district, nearly 10,000 acres of crops were damaged. Officials reported that 20 irrigation tanks were breached, around 100 houses collapsed, and roads were washed away at 25 locations. The overall damage to crops and infrastructure in the district was estimated at Rs 100 crore.

Light to moderate rainfall

Several parts of Mancherial and Nirmal districts received light to moderate rainfall on Monday.

According to the Telangana Development Planning Society, Mancherial district recorded an average of 49.7 mm. Vemanapalli mandal received the highest rainfall at 99 mm, followed by Kannepalli mandal with 90 mm. The district’s cumulative rainfall since June 1 stood at 757 mm against the normal 768 mm.

In Nirmal district, the average rainfall was 29 mm, with Nirmal mandal recording the highest at 84 mm. The district’s cumulative rainfall stood at 827 mm compared to the normal 738 mm, reflecting a 12% excess. Kumram Bheem Asifabad district also witnessed 29 mm of rainfall and has recorded an 18% excess so far.