Andhra Pradesh - Guntur   

Wet spell: farmers keeping their fingers crossed

GUNTUR: Farmers in the delta and Palnadu areas were keeping their fingers crossed as the prolonged wet spell for the last 24 hours continued throughout Friday and Saturday. For the farmers in delta regions, who have raised paddy, the rains could not have come at a worst time since the harvesting was going on in Tenali region.

Preliminary reports from agricultural department sources in Tenali suggest that harvested crop in at least 3,000 acres was partially damaged. The damage was extensive in land holdings where the farmers have kept the harvested paddy for drying before tying them into stacks.

For those growing commercial crops like chilli and cotton, the rains have come as a blessing in disguise. The scattered rainfall would drive away any pests feeding on chilli, pointed out some farmers.

The cotton crop which was in various stages of cultivation would also be benefited. Farmers, who have already finished pickings were, however, apprehensive about the moisture content in the crop. The Cotton Corporation of India, which had initially refused to buy cotton with more than 12 per cent moisture content later relented and procured cotton on Friday. The CCI, however, made it clear that it would not make any purchases on Saturday and Sunday.

Paddy was being grown in 2.5 lakh acres in the district, out of which at least one acre was being cultivated in the command area of Krishna Western Delta.

“Farmers should drain out water as soon as possible after the rain and then spray two per cent of salt solution to prevent discolouration.,” principle scientist, Post Harvest Technology, Agricultural University, Bapatla, Ch.V.V. Satyanarayana said.

Meanwhile, normal life in most parts of the district was paralysed due to the widespread wet spell in almost parts of the district. Repalle, Tenali and Bapatla mandals received the maximum amount of rainfall, followed by Guntur, Narsaraopet and Vinukonda.

The district recorded an average rainfall of 26 mm, the highest being recorded at Bapatla (78 mm).

The district officials said the situation was under control and no fresh alert was issued. The Superintendent said the met department had confirmed that the cyclone had crossed the coast at Nellore.

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