Hyderabad: Heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Montha continued to lash the Palair constituency in Khammam district from early Wednesday. As a result, major crops suffered extensive damage across four mandals. The nonstop rain flooded paddy, cotton, maize, and chilli fields, pushing farmers into deep distress.
Continuous rain destroys standing crops
Farmers said the cyclone struck just as they were preparing for harvest. Consequently, the rain washed away months of hard work. Entire fields went underwater, and crops that were ready to cut got flattened. Many cultivators described their losses as unbearable.
Severe damage occurred in Kusumanchi, Khammam Rural, Nelakondapalli, and Thirumalayapalem mandals. Meanwhile, strong winds and heavy downpours uprooted or flattened paddy, cotton, and chilli plants. Therefore, thousands of acres of farmland turned unproductive within hours.
According to agriculture officials, Palair constituency recorded paddy cultivation on 75,884 acres and cotton on 50,000 acres this kharif season. However, farmers estimated that nearly 80 percent of these crops were damaged by the cyclone rains. Agricultural Development Officer Satish told Disha that officials would prepare a complete damage report and submit it to the district authorities within two days.
Minister directs officials to stay alert
State Revenue and Information Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy urged both officials and citizens in the erstwhile Khammam district to remain vigilant. In his statement, he said heavy rain had been pounding the region since Cyclone Montha made landfall. He spoke to district officials by phone and instructed them to alert residents in low-lying villages.
In addition, the minister ordered agriculture officers to assess crop losses in Palair constituency and send detailed reports promptly. Furthermore, he assured that the government would support affected farmers once the assessment was complete.
Farmers plead for government aid
Local farmers expressed anguish over the destruction. “I cultivated paddy on my own land and another 30 acres of leased land,” said Bhargav Reddy, a tenant farmer from Arempula. “The crop was a week away from harvest. But the cyclone rains submerged my entire field. I request the government to compensate our losses.”
Meanwhile, other farmers voiced similar appeals, saying the cyclone left them in debt and without hope. They urged the administration to expedite field inspections and provide relief before the next planting season.