Amaravati 23 Nov : .Heavy rainfall and flooding in four districts, Andhra Pradesh, have caused damage to agriculture, according to officials.
The floods also affected horticulture crops that cover more than eight lakh hectares. The preliminary report from affected districts states that the crop losses are around Rs.3,000 crore.
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Kannababu, Agriculture Minister, stated that a detailed crop count will take place once the flood waters recede.
Although the information regarding the districts-wise breakdown of crop losses was not yet updated, it appears that Kadapa suffered the most.Kadapa saw crops damage of over 1,26.167 ha, while Anantapur suffered 90,498 ha.Nellore, Chittoor and Chittoor had crops damaged of more than 12,118 hectares each.
Kadapa also saw damage to horticulture crops of over 17912 ha.The extent of damage to horticulture crops in Anantapur, Nellore and Nellore were respectively 616 and 101 ha.
Officials from the Agriculture Department said that crops were destroyed by breaches in bunds for irrigation projects such as the Annamaya Project and Cheyyer Reservoir in Kadapa.
The worst damage was done to paddy, cotton, black gram, and sunflower crops.Floods claimed the destruction of crops that were ready to be harvested by affected farmers.
The farmers have appealed for help from the government.
The loss of hundreds of dairy cattle also caused a major blow to the industry.In response to farmers’ deaths of buffaloes or cows, the state government promised financial support of Rs.30,000 for sheep and goats.
Chief Minister Y.S.Jagan Mohanreddy instructed the officials to begin crop enumeration as well as to provide seeds at 80 percent subsidy.
Floods caused by heavy rainfall under the influence of the Bay of Bengal depression left an ashtray of destruction that claimed 34 lives and made 10 more disappear.
The floods caused flooding in more than 1,300 villages, making them the most severe in recent times.It caused extensive damage to infrastructure, and destroyed vital rail and road links.
Each family member of a deceased person will receive Rs 5 lakh from the state government.
For rescue and relief, eight teams from the National Disaster Response Force were used.
In 19 locations, two helicopters were utilized for rescue missions.
In flood-affected regions, 294 relief centers were opened by the authorities.
Around 58,000 people were evacuated and moved to relief camps.
Floods and rains were particularly severe in the temple city of Tirupati, Chittoor.
Massive damage was done to the ghat roads, walkways and temple of Sri Venkateswara at Tirumala.
Four days later, many low-lying areas of Tirupati’s suburbs and surrounding villages were still inundated.
Similar conditions prevailed across Nellore and Chittoor districts.
On Tuesday, the authorities dropped essential items in marooned areas of Chittoor District.
Officials were directed by the Chief Minister to intensify relief efforts.The Chief Minister asked officials to pay Rs 95,100 in compensation and to build a house for those who have lost their houses.
He also requested Rs 5,200 be given to people whose homes were partially destroyed by floods.
According to him, the state government had sanctioned additional Rs 10 crore to Kurnool and Chittoor districts, Anantapur, Kadapa, and Anantapur for relief measures.This amounts to Rs 40 Crore.
Floods and heavy rains caused numerous leakages in tanks and lakes, further complicating the situation.
Natural disasters caused severe damage to roads, irrigation systems, power poles, towers, transmission system and electricity lines.
Damage was done to approximately 2,000km of state, rural and district roads.
According to the Roads and Buildings department’s initial estimates, it will cost Rs 800 crore to repair the bridges and roads that were damaged.
Panchayat Raj officials and Municipal Administration Department officials were directed by the Chief Minister to complete the tenders for permanent rehabilitation work within the next four week.
On Tuesday, N.Chandrababu Naidu (leader of the opposition) visited flood-affected Kadapa districts.Former Chief Minister, N.Chandrababu Naidu visited some villages in Rajampet mandals and Nandluru mandals to interact with those affected.
On Wednesday, Naidu will be visiting the flood-stricken areas in Chittoor and Nellore districts on Thursday.
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