After a prolonged dry spell due to severe El Nino conditions, several parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have been witnessing moderate to heavy rains for the last two days, bringing much needed relief to the agriculture operations that had come to a virtual standstill all these days.
Heavy rainfall was also reported in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Warangal, Jangaon and Nalgonda districts. Meanwhile, the latest rains provided relief to several districts. However, the rains brought little respite to the agriculture sector, as they have come after a prolonged period of rainfall deficiency that has already caused substantial crop stress. The latest rain has been particularly useful for rain-fed and upland crops. However, rainfall distribution remains uneven, meaning that some agricultural pockets continue to face moisture stress despite heavy showers in nearby areas. The widespread rainfall has come as a major relief to Telangana’s agricultural sector after several days of inadequate precipitation. “For farmers whose standing crops had begun showing signs of moisture stress, the rainfall has provided immediate relief.
A report submitted by the agriculture department to minister K Atchannaidu at a review meeting on Monday stated that the state has cumulative rainfall deficiency of 51% since the beginning of the kharif season. Siddipet district recorded the highest rainfall in the last 24-hours with Kondapak mandal receiving 145.3 mm, followed by Thipparam in Kukunoorpally with 114.8 mm and Nangnoor 109.3 mm, according to a bulletin from the Indian Meteorological Department on Monday. Similarly, Chegunta in Medak district recorded 108 mm and Husnabad in Hanamkonda district recorded 101.5 mm. The rainfall was heavier the previous day (Sunday) with Kesamudram in Mahabubabad district recording 191.3 mm, followed by 153.8 mm in Kannepalli in Mancherial and 152.3 mm at Nellikudur in Mahabubabad.
“Cotton, red gram, black gram, castor and groundnut crops have been particularly affected in parts of Palnadu, the erstwhile Prakasam region and Rayalaseema,” it said. The rains have replenished tanks and other water bodies and caused streams and rivulets to swell at several locations, according to an agriculture department official. However, agricultural recovery will depend on the continuity and geographical distribution of rainfall over the coming days,” he said.
Several coastal and central districts received substantial rain on Sunday and Monday, according to rainfall data from the IMD.
