Unseasonal rains wreak havoc on Mango farmers in Mancherial

The impacted areas include Bheemaram, Nennal, Bheemini, Chennur, Mandamarri, and Thandur mandals. Mangoes ready for harvest lay scattered across the roads, underscoring the scale of the destruction. The strong winds also uprooted several mature mango trees, compounding the losses suffered by farmers.

Mancherial: Unseasonal rains accompanied by strong gales caused extensive damage to mango orchards across several mandals in Mancherial district on Thursday night, dealing a severe blow to farmers who were preparing for harvest.

The affected areas include Bheemaram, Nennal, Bheemini, Chennur, Mandamarri, and Thandur mandals. Mangoes that were ready for harvest were strewn across roads, highlighting the extent of the devastation. Several large mango trees were also uprooted due to the intensity of the winds, adding to the losses incurred by cultivators.

According to official data, Bheemaram mandal recorded the highest rainfall at 23.8 mm, followed by Nennal with 21.3 mm. The district’s average rainfall stood at 5.2 mm. Jaipur mandal received 10 mm of rainfall, while Kannepalli recorded 9.1 mm and 6.5 mm respectively.

Distressed farmers lamented that they had hoped for good returns this season, but the untimely rains had dashed their hopes. They urged the government to conduct a comprehensive survey of the damage and provide compensation at the earliest. Many growers pointed out that they had invested significant sums to cultivate the orchards.

Officials from the horticulture department said the extent of crop damage was yet to be assessed and that efforts were underway to initiate a survey soon.

Meanwhile, paddy stored at government-run procurement centres was also affected, having been drenched due to insufficient tarpaulin cover. Farmers demanded that the government take immediate steps to assess the damage and provide necessary relief.