Unseasonal rain, hail destroy crops in Telangana, Andhra

...paddy crops were affected in 6,670 acres, while maize crops suffered damage over 4,100 acres. TUMMALA NAGESHWARA RAO, Telangana agriculture minister

- Srinivasa Rao Apparasu

HYDERABAD: Unseasonal rains accompanied by hailstorms destroyed standing crops in several acres of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states in the last two days, officials familiar with the development said on Monday.

Several parts of Telangana, particularly the northern region, received moderate rains ranging from 30 mm to 55 mm, along with lightning and hailstorms. Five northern districts of Jagitial, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Rajanna Siricilla, Peddapalli and Mancherial witnessed hailstorms.

Besides, several parts of Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam and Nalgonda also witnessed thunderstorms in the last two days, an official said. While the rains provided much needed relief to the people who have been witnessing soaring temperatures ranging up to 40-42°C, they also caused considerable destruction to the standing crops.