Untimely rains damage paddy stocks at Nalgonda harvest centres

Heavy unseasonal rains and waterlogging have damaged paddy stocks at harvest centres and marketyards in Nalgonda. Farmers face losses as procurement season begins. Officials are working to salvage grains, provide temporary drying sheds, and assist affected growers

Nalgonda: Farmers across Nalgonda district and neighbouring areas experienced huge losses caused by waterlogging and downpours during the past two days. Paddy stocks were exposed to heavy rain in the harvest centres and market yards. The unseasonal rainfall, which measured over 190 mm in just three hours in places like Valigonda, has turned low-lying areas with crops into lakes. If rains continue, the Kharif harvest is likely to be delayed.

The procurement season has just kicked off in Nalgonda, Suryapet, and Yadadri-Bhongir districts. The India Meteorological Department issued yellow alerts for Nalgonda and Yadadri-Bhongir besides Warangal. Emergency response teams have been deployed to clear waterlogged roads and assess damage, but the scale of the crisis has overwhelmed local drainage systems.

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In Valigonda and surrounding mandals, entire villages reported knee-deep flood, with homes, roads, and bridges submerged overnight. The impact is greater on the Kharif paddy crops. Open storage yards at procurement centres turned into swimming pools, soaking thousands of quintals of grain. Farmers affected by rains are struggling to dispose of them.

Civil Supplies officials, in anticipation of further showers, have been asked to ramp up operations. Efforts are on to lift the damaged stocks before they spoil completely. “Our teams are working around the clock to process what we can salvage,” said an official. In Kattangoor mandal, the downpour struck hardest from midnight to 8 a.m. on Monday, battering villages like Eduluru, Naregudem, Kurumarthi, Kattangoor, Ayitipamula, Vandanapalli, Garlabai Gudem, and Parada.

“We waited months for this harvest, and now it’s all underwater with nowhere to dry it out,” complained Kharif farmers at Valigonda. Irrigation canals in Yadadri-Bhongir swelled dangerously, washing away embankments and crops. Similar scenes were witnessed in neighbouring Warangal and Khammam districts.

The crisis continued on Tuesday in Atmakur mandal, where heavy rains caused the Ellamma tank in Kurella village to breach its banks, flooding nearby farms and homes. Villagers reported that embankments of different water bodies are at risk. They demanded officials take stock of the situation and carry out repairs. Officials promised prompt action and quick repairs.

Farmers are worried as forecasts predict more showers through the week. Official sources confirmed that relief measures are in progress. Temporary drying sheds at procurement sites and monetary assistance for affected growers will be arranged. “We are prioritising the most vulnerable, those with no backup storage or insurance,” they added.