TS rain-hit farmers to get relief

Recent unseasonal rains and hailstorm have damaged crops spread across 40,000 hectares in Telangana. Paddy and maize crops remain the worst affected.

The state government directed agriculture and horticulture departments to visit the affected areas to assess the crop loss and submit the report at the earliest.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is expected to announce compensation for farmers in the ongoing Budget session.

The unseasonal rains and hailstorm wreaked havoc in Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Adilabad, Ranga Reddy and Nalgonda districts.

Agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy said that the rains and hailstorm occurred in two phases, causing loss to standing crops. They occurred on March 6, 7 and again between March 10 and 15, he added.

According to preliminary estimates, paddy crop spread over 26,000 hectares, maize in 12,000 hectares and other crops over 2,000 hectares have got damaged.

Kamareddy district was the worst-affected among all, where the paddy crop got affected in 15,000 hectares and maize in over 3,000 acres.

The rains have also caused a heavy loss to horticulture crops. It was found that horticulture crops over an extent of 5,000 hectares worth `10 crore were damaged.

However, Mr Reddy said the officials are yet to submit a final report to the government on crop loss.

“The final report is expected in a day or two and will be submitted to the government. The Chief Minister will announce a compensation for farmers in the ongoing Budget session. The government will also provide input subsidy to affected farmers,” Mr Reddy added.