The hailstorm which lasted just a few minutes in several districts of the state on Friday night left 12 dead and destroyed standing crops, causing heavy financial loss to farmers.
Chilli, maize and other crops in more than 20,000 hectares in four districts were damaged. Cotton farmers too suffered heavy losses as the standing crop and the cotton brought to yards or kept in the fields was completely damaged in Nalgonda, Guntur and Adilabad districts.
Coal production in Karimnagar and Adilabad districts was affected as rain water entered open-cast mines.
The untimely rains, which lashed Karimanagr on Friday night, lasted till Saturday morning. Hailstorm, accompanied by gales, damaged crops in thousands of acres in Jagitial and Sircilla divisions and other part of the district. Joint director of agriculture B Prasad said the mango crop, which was in the flowering stage, and maize were, damaged in 10,162 hectares. Officials said 41.6 mm rainfall was recorded in here.
The eastern division forest area reported heavy rains. In the Ramagundam area coal production in four open-cast mines came to a halt. In Karimnagar city, the Two Town police station area, Boiwada Crossroads, Kaman Road and Telangana Chowk were inundated. Drainage water overflowed on the roads.
Rain wreaked havoc in more than 20 mandals in Guntur district on Saturday leaving chilli, maize and Bengal gram farmers worried. Chilli is being cultivated in 1.50 lakh acres, particularly in Palnadu area. Farmers fear discoloration of chilli and consequent decline in its quality.
Chilli and mango farmers in Krishna district are likely to suffer huge losses due to the rains. With the end of paddy season, the farmers of Vijayawada and Nuzvid revenue divisions in west Krishna have raised chilli, cotton, Bengal gram, red gram and other ID crops. Mango is another important crop for thousands of farmers in western and north-western Krishna. Chilli is being cultivated in 25,000 acres and mango in over 1,67,000 hectares in the district, particularly in Vijayawada and Nuzvid revenue divisions. Mango crop may suffer due to falling of flowers and fungus infection Anthrac Nose. Assistant director of horticulture PM Subhani said fungus can be cured by sprinkling pesticide with water.