Nilam effect: Rains destroy crops in AP

As heavy rains continued to lash Andhra Pradesh due to 'Nilam' cyclonic storm, standing crops in about 77,000 hectares have been affected. Crops, mostly paddy, in 76,980 hectares are in water.  It is not that all of that crop is damaged.

Once the water recedes, the district officials would enumerate and send reports, state Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy said in a briefing today. 'Nilam', which crossed north Tamil Nadu coast on Wednesday evening, weakened into a deep depression and further into a depression, causing widespread rains in Andhra Pradesh and south Karnataka.
Quoting information from Met department, the minister said the rains would end in most of the areas by tonight but continue for another 24 hours in Khammam, Warangal, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts.
Four persons were killed in rain-related incidents—three due to electrocution and one due to a wall collapse—in the state, he said. The district collectors would give ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased. The minister said 30 houses—16 fully and 14 partially—were damaged due to the rains. 449 electric poles were also damaged. About 5,000 people were provided shelter in relief camps in Prakasam district.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy would launch land distribution to the poor at Puttaparti in Anantapur district tomorrow, which will be carried out across the state from November 4-10. About 80,000 acres will be distributed, the minister added.
PTI