Heavy showers disrupt farm activities across Telangana

All but seven of the State’s 612 mandals receive rainfall, with widespread downpours at several places impacting paddy procurement in key market yards

Hyderabad: Heavy rains have disrupted agricultural activities across Telangana, affecting market operations and crop procurement. All but seven of the State’s 612 mandals received rainfall, with widespread downpours at several places impacting minimum support price operations, particularly paddy procurement in key market yards. The highest rainfall was recorded in Masaipet, Medak, at 116.9 mm.

The intense rainfall is expected to set the stage for Kharif operations, likely to begin within a fortnight. However, it has posed challenges for the ongoing Rabi season, with over 30 per cent of farmers’ produce, especially paddy, still awaiting purchases. Continued heavy showers on May 22 have further disrupted agricultural activities and procurement in market yards.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for eight districts – Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanumakonda, and Jangaon- predicting downpours with thunderstorms and lightning. The remaining 25 districts, including Hyderabad, are expected to experience light to moderate rain or thundershowers.

Cumulative rainfall figures show that Mahabubnagar, Jogulamba Gadwal, Wanaparthy, and Narayanpet districts have received rainfall in ‘large excess’- variation ranging from 64 percent to 80 percent.

Twenty districts have recorded excess rainfall overall. Farmers and agriculture department officials continue to monitor the situation closely while assessing the impact on procurement and crop conditions. Precautionary measures are being advised as the weather patterns remain unpredictable.