North Andhra farmers face crop losses after drought gives way to floods

Farmers in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh are facing crop losses after drought conditions were followed by floods that inundated fields in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and nearby districts. The farmers had already been affected by poor rainfall during the Kharif season, which the report attributed to El Niño conditions. Rainfall was nearly 45% below normal through the third week of September, prompting many farmers to avoid cultivation in June.

In Vizianagaram, where the normal cropping area is about 1.43 lakh hectares, cultivation was limited to nearly 45,000 hectares. In Srikakulam, the normal area is 3,47,519 hectares, while the cultivated area fell to about 2.2 lakh hectares. Farmers who purchased seeds and fertiliser lost their investment after the drought affected 27 mandals in Vizianagaram and 30 in Srikakulam.

Paddy cultivation cost about ₹9,500 per acre, while maize cost up to ₹18,000 per acre, according to the report. Those who used borewells to maintain crops were subsequently hit by flash floods. Paddy, maize, sugarcane, banana and papaya were among the crops damaged.

Individual farmers reported losses ranging from ₹35,000 to ₹2 lakh. Kurmarao, a farmer from Gopalapuram in Palakonda mandal, said he had expected a good harvest because his land was near canals connected to the Nagavali river. The floods, he said, changed those prospects.

Palla Appalanaidu of Kagitapalli said his maize yield had already fallen from the usual 25 quintals per acre to 10 because of drought. Floodwater then submerged the remaining crop. Farmers in Allina village also reported losses of about ₹30,000 each.

The farmers have sought immediate financial assistance. MARKFED Director Anepu Ramakrishna said officials would assess the damage and consider relief measures. The report said the release of nearly 75,000 cusecs from the Narayanpur Anicut over two days contributed to flooding in Burja mandal.