Heavy rains damage crops in AP

The heavy rains that lashed the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh in the past few days have damaged agricultural and horticultural crops to an extent of over 277,000 hectares (ha) besides taking the lives of 20 people.

According to an official estimate, as many as 26,577 houses, including 22,848 in East Godavari district, have submerged in the rain water. The extent of the damage caused was yet to be assessed.

Till Tuesday, Nellore received a cumulative rainfall of 232 mm, Visakhapatnam 235 mm, Prakasam 86 mm, Vizianagaram 131 mm, East Godavari 301 mm, Srikakulam 114 mm, Krishna 139 mm, West Godavari 166 mm and Guntur 48 mm.

The worst affected districts were East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Nellore and Krishna where 26,574 people have been evacuated and 92 relief camps are being held.