Heavy rains hit paddy crop in East Godavari

Rajamahendravaram: Traffic on the roads came to a halt due to wide spread rains across the district from Friday morning and paddy fields in thousands of acres inundated completely affecting the transplantation of saplings particularly in Konaseema area.

The farmers are in the grip of fear that the paddy crop may be damaged if the rain continues for two more days. They said that the present rainfall is sufficient to continue the cultivation works.

Because of the heavy rain, low-lying areas in Konaseema area were submerged and the rainwater was stagnated in coconut plantations and other orchards. Meanwhile, many educational institutions declared holiday for classes on Saturday and small shop vendors faced problems due to rain by losing their livelihood.

In agency area, streams are overflowing with the rainwater and in some areas, many trees uprooted due to strong gales. The buses proceeding towards Bhadrachalam through agency area are delayed due to heavy rains. On Saturday, the district reported average rainfall of 26.7 mm and the highest rainfall of 105.3 mm recorded in Chintoor mandal.