Relief as cyclone spares NTR, Krishna dists

Vijayawada: Paddy farmers across NTR and Krishna districts heaved a sigh of relief as cyclone Mandous didn’t show much impact in the two districts. The cyclone crossed the coast near Chennai and parts of Krishna district registered light rains.
Paddy is the predominant crop in this region and it is cultivated in around 1.58 lakh hectares in the Krishna district during Kharif season this year.The agriculture department estimated 10.40 lakh MT of paddy is ready for harvest in the district.
Many farmers started harvesting a little early this year with cyclone and rain alerts issued by IMD. Around 30% farmers in combined Krishna district completed harvesting of paddy by December 6. With predictions of a severe cyclonic storm, Mandous farmers across the district intensified the harvest.
As per official statistics, around 80% of farmers completed harvesting as agriculture authorities procured paddy harvesting machines from Telangana. NTR district registered average rainfall of 11 mm on Friday with the impact of cyclone. “We are fortunate this time as the rain didn’t show much effect on us,” said K Ramu, a farmer from Tarigoppala of Krishna district.