Floods damage crops of 71,796 farmers and 2,405 km of roads in Andhra Pradesh; Godavari rises again

The recent heavy rains induced by the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal have the Godavari Delta and Godavari Valley bracing for floods for the second time within six days as Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram in Rajamahendravaram continued to receive more than 9.7 lakh cusecs of floodwater by Monday.

According to initial estimates, the rains damaged horticultural crops in over 1,734 hectares and agricultural crops in around 44,029 hectares.

Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu said horticultural crops were affected in 89 mandals and 351 villages across 14 districts in Andhra Pradesh. According to preliminary estimates prepared by the Agriculture Department, crops in 1,229 villages across 190 mandals were damaged, affecting an estimated 71,796 farmers.