Seven killed as hailstorms play havoc
Hyderabad, March 5 (INN): At least seven people were killed and 58 others injured due to heavy rains hailstorms in different parts of Andhra Pradesh since the last two days.
According to the Disaster Management Department, four people were killed in Warangal, two in Anantapur and one death has been reported from Nizamabad due to heavy rains and hailstorms. All 58 persons who were injured are from Warangal district.
Officials say that hailstorms are common feature in the State during February to May and cause considerable damage to agriculture and Horticulture crops besides damaging houses. Every year Hailstorms occur during this period in parts of the State.
While light to moderate rainfall occurred at isolated places in the State since 23rd February, hailstorms were reported daily from March 1st across the State.
On Wednesday, all 10 District in Telangana, Ananthapur and Kurnool districts in Rayalaseema, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, West Godavari and Guntur in Coastal Andhra have received rainfall.
Of 20 mandals that received more than 3 centimetres of rainfall, three mandals received more than 5 centimetres of rainfall. With 53.8 mm rainfall, Gudur of Warangal is on the top followed by Jiyamma Valasa of Vizianagaram with 53.4 mm and Maddur of Warangal with 52.6.
The live stock loss has been put at 931 with Warangal on top with 911 animals including eight big animals besides death of 3,000 poultry. The other districts where live stock loss has been reported are Nizamabad, Medak, Karimnagar and Adilabad.
Crops spread across 57,217 hectares got damaged in 10 districts Viz. Nizamabad, Medak, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Mahabubnagar, Khammam, Nalgonda, Ananthapur and Kurnool. They include 25,922 Ha of Paddy, 17,405 Ha of Maize and 2213 Ha of Jowar. About 800 Tons Chillies damaged in drying yard in Warangal district.
Further, 12,701 Ha of Horticulture crops were damaged in six districts Viz. Medak, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Anathapur, Chittoor and Rangareddy. Crops wise / District wise damages are as follows:
The India Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers, with or without hail, at a few places over Telangana. Rain or thundershowers would occur at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Rayalaseema, the Met Department said.
News Posted: 5 March, 2014
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