KADAPA: A herd of deer strayed into fields in Indira Nagar and Balapalle of Kodur mandal and caused extensive damage to watermelon crop on Monday night. The crop loss has been estimated at `20 lakh.
The deer taking advantage of farmers, who normally keep vigil in the nights, were away visiting Siva temples in nearby Gundalakona, Nithyapoojakona, Polathala and other holy places, near their villages, on the occasion of Sivaratri, entered into the fields and damaged the crop.
According to information reaching here, a big herd of 200 deer went on a rampage, damaging watermelon crops at their will, in an area of 30 acres, cultivated by 10 farmers and damaged them by breaking the watermelons with their horns.
The farmers lamented that their hopes of reaping a good crop of 10 to 12 tonnes of watermelon per an acre, this year, were dashed to grounds due to the deer attack.