Srikakulam floods cause ₹150 crore loss as Nagavali water lingers in paddy fields
Floods in Srikakulam district have caused an estimated ₹150 crore loss, with paddy crops in low-lying areas still submerged.
Floodwater is receding across most of Srikakulam district, but in low-lying villages such as Allina, water from the Nagavali river remains stagnant in paddy fields, leaving farmers anxious about crops that were only a couple of months from harvest.
The unprecedented floods in the Vamsadhara, Nagavali, Bahuda and other rivers inundated standing crops in Santhabommali, Polaki, Meliaputti, Jalumuru and Burja mandals.
Many parts of the district had been experiencing drought-like conditions due to deficient rainfall this year. Lands irrigated by canals from major reservoirs, however, remained fertile, and farmers were expecting to benefit from their investments within a couple of months. The flash floods changed that outlook.
Farmers typically earn around ₹60,000 per acre and invest between ₹9,500 and ₹15,000 per crop, depending on soil conditions and the seeds and fertilisers used.
According to government estimates, the total loss from the floods, which inundated crops and damaged structures in several places, is around ₹150 crore.
In Allina village of Burja mandal, a completely low-lying area, paddy on 1,100 acres was damaged. Farmer Pativada Bhaskara Rao urged the irrigation department to ensure quick drainage of water from the fields. Another farmer, Varada Rambabu, said the crops would be completely damaged if the water stagnation continued for a few more days.
Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar said the standing crops would survive if farmers followed the instructions of agriculture scientists. Senior scientists from Nagarjuna University, Naira Agriculture College and other institutions will visit the fields and make recommendations to protect standing crops such as paddy and maize. Agriculture teams will organise awareness programmes in affected villages based on those recommendations.
"The farmers might have temporary trouble but they will benefit during the rabi season. All reservoirs and barrages are full of water which is sufficient for irrigation and drinking water needs till March 2027," the Collector said.
MARKFED Director Annepu Ramakrishna Naidu requested the Collector to ensure quick completion of the enumeration so that farmers receive financial assistance from the government.