TELANGANA: Over 4.4 lakh acres of crops hit by Cyclone Montha
HYDERABAD: Heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Montha have caused extensive crop damage across several Telangana districts. According to a preliminary assessment by the agriculture department, standing crops in 4,47,864 acres belonging to 2,50,668 farmers were affected.
The report said paddy suffered the worst damage in 2,82,079 acres, followed by cotton in 1,51,707 acres. Officials gathered field data from 179 mandals across 12 districts and submitted a report to the government on Thursday morning.
Warangal district reported the highest damage of 1,90,200 acres (29.07%), followed by Khammam (62,400 acres), Suryapet (56,330 acres) and Nalgonda (52,071 acres). In Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Bhupalpally, Mahabubabad, Nagarkurnool, Siddipet and Karimnagar districts, cotton was the most affected crop.
Farmers said they had harvested paddy and brought it to procurement centres two weeks ago, but the recent rains soaked the grain. Many have appealed to the government to procure discoloured and wet paddy without conditions.
CCI rejects high-moisture cotton at Adilabad yard
Farmers in Adilabad district expressed distress as the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) refused to buy their produce citing high moisture content.
On October 27, CCI began procurement operations in Adilabad market. However, farmers from Beempur and Talamadugu mandals found their cotton moisture levels at 15%, above the 8–12% permissible range. Despite repeated drying attempts, CCI officials refused to relax norms, forcing farmers to wait for four days amid rains.
Comprehensive survey ordered
The agriculture department said the cyclone had damaged crops in Warangal, Khammam, Nalgonda and Karimnagar districts. Preliminary survey findings show losses in 2,82,379 acres of paddy, 1,51,707 acres of cotton, 1,963 acres of maize, 3,613 acres of chilli, 1,228 acres of pulses, 2,674 acres of groundnut and 1,300 acres of horticultural crops.
Agriculture minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao directed officials to conduct a detailed survey with teams from the agriculture, revenue and horticulture departments to accurately determine the damage percentage. Compensation will be recommended for farmers who lost more than 35% of their crop, officials said.
Revanth Reddy to visit affected areas
Minister Tummala said the government would assist every farmer affected by the cyclone. “Chief minister Revanth Reddy will visit the flood-hit regions. The amount of compensation per acre will be finalised after discussions with the chief minister,” he said.
Since the crop insurance scheme and PM Fasal Bima Yojana are not in force in the state, compensation will be directly paid by the government. The previous government had granted ₹10,000 per acre, and officials indicated that a similar amount might be considered this time. Based on preliminary estimates, compensation for 4.48 lakh acres could cost around ₹448 crore.
