Heavy rains, winds cause damage to banana crop

Kakinada: The heavy rains with strong winds in the last two days particularly on Tuesday damaged banana crop in Kirlampudi mandal of East Godavari district. The crop is being cultivated in several upland mandals in Gandepalli, Yaleswaram, Prathipadu, Rajanaagaram, Kotanandureu, Tuni mandals.

According to preliminary assessment, the banana crop was damaged in 40 hectares area in Kirlampudi area in the last two days causing loss of Rs 10 lakh.Crop loss in Yaleswaram on Thursday was Rs 16.25 lakh. The crop was damaged in an extent of 65 hectares in Yaleswaram, Thotapalli and surrounding areas.

Assistant director of horticulture K Gopi Kumar and horticulture officer N Sujata visited several areas and assessed the crop loss. “This is preliminary assessment and we make the final survey and assessment in the next few days,” said Gopi Kumar. 
 
“Our team found no losses to the other major crop such as mango due to the rains and winds,” the AD clarified.