Unseasonal torrential rains coupled with thunderstorms and high winds have wreaked havoc across Andhra Pradesh, claiming 10 lives and causing significant damage to agriculture and horticulture, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was informed during a high-level review meeting on Monday.
According to officials, nine of the 10 fatalities occurred due to lightning strikes, while one person died when a tree trunk fell. The casualties were reported from several districts: four in Tirupati, two each in Bapatla and Prakasam, and one each in Eluru and Nellore.
The India Meteorological Department recorded the highest rainfall in Kajuluru village of Kakinada district at 100 mm, followed by heavy showers in other parts of Kakinada, Konaseema, East and West Godavari, and Eluru districts. Rainfall continued from Sunday morning till the early hours of Monday.
Agriculture bore the brunt of the rains, with paddy and maize crops across 2,224 hectares damaged. West Godavari alone reported damage in 1,033 hectares spread across 15 mandals. Nandyal and Kakinada districts also reported substantial losses. Horticulture crops such as banana, papaya, and mango were destroyed across 138 hectares in multiple districts including Krishna, Eluru, Tirupati, and Nandyal.
Chief Minister Naidu directed officials to complete damage assessments and disburse compensation to affected farmers by Tuesday evening. “The government must ensure that no farmer is left uncompensated,” he asserted, urging officials to approach the disaster with “a humanitarian mindset.”
Naidu instructed district collectors and field staff to be on high alert for further rainfall, take preventive steps, and issue community warnings even if mobile alerts fail. He also ordered compensation for livestock deaths due to lightning to be released promptly.
Civil Supplies Special Secretary Saurabh Gaur briefed the CM on paddy procurement, confirming that 1.3 million metric tonnes of the 2 million tonne target had already been collected. Naidu emphasized that all paddy, including discoloured produce, must be purchased, and assured that coordination with the Centre would be arranged if procurement needs exceeded estimates.
“No farmer should say their paddy was left unprocured,” Naidu stressed, reaffirming his government’s commitment to safeguard the interests of the farming community amid natural adversities.
Sources By Agencies