Rain fury: Over 300 acres of agricultural fields inundated in Srikakulam

Tanks, canals develop breaches, special teams deployed to undertake restoration works.
Farmers look at the inundated agriculture fields in Srikakulam on Sunday | express
Farmers look at the inundated agriculture fields in Srikakulam on Sunday | express

SRIKAKULAM: Heavy rains triggered by the upper air cyclonic circulation in the last few days have thrown the normal life out of gear in the rural mandals of Srikakulam. Hiramandalam, Meliaputti and Patapatnam mandals which have been witnessing heavy downpour since the last few days have the canal and tanks overflowing, inundating the nearby crop fields. On Friday, the brimming tanks swelled up on to the road. Pogadavelli Gedda at Dannupuram of Hiramandalam developed a breach, submerging the standing crops at Labara and Signupuram in Patapatnam mandal.
The road between Jadupalli and Surujini was also breached on Saturday morning, disrupting the communication between the two villages. Left with no alternative, the residents waded through the flood water.

“An overflowing canal swelled up on to the road connecting Navatala with Srikakulam, Patapatnam and Hiramandalam. The communication was disrupted until 3pm on Saturday before the local officials undertook the restoration works. The bus services were resumed by Saturday evening,” said Sudhakar, a resident of Navatala.

Downpour lasted from 3pm to 10 pm on Friday and the showers continued on Saturday. According to a random survey by the authorities, standing crops in more than 300 acres in Hiramandalam, Patapatnam and Meliaputti mandals are under water.

“As the crops are in seedling stage, it will not be covered under crop damage as per the rules. However, we have advised farmers to go for alternatives crops. The agriculture officials have been instructed to stay put in flood-affected areas and guide the farmers until water recedes,” said district agriculture director Rama Rao.

Meanwhile, the revenue officials have been told to initiate measures for rescue operations where it is needed. “Control rooms have been set up at all tehsildar offices in Hiramandalam, Patapatnam and Meliaputti and other mandals. Special teams have been deployed to undertake the restoration works,” said Palakonda RDO Gunnayya.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com