State received excess rainfall this season: Raghuveera

Hyderabad, Sept 5: Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy on Wednesday informed that the State has received 520.9 mm excess rainfall against 504.9 mm this season. 

Talking to media persons at the State Secretariat after emerging out of meeting with officials over the rain situation in the State, the Revenue Minister said that 887 mandals received above normal rainfall; six mandals scanty rainfall and 235 mandals reported below normal rainfall out of 1128 mandals in the State. Stating that farm operations have started in 77.9 lakh hectares in the State, he said that the good inflows have been reported in Krishna and Godavari basins. The Srisailam Dam has registered inflows of 1.20 lakh cusecs, he said. 

Following heavy rains, he said that 144 lakes breached across the state. He said that the crops spread across 10,000 hectares in West Godavari and 3,000 hectares in Warangal district were submerged and the officials are enumerating the crop loss. At least 150 houses have completely damaged and 629 partially across the state. 

Dismissing conflicting reports on deaths, he said that four people died so far in the State. He said that all departments have been alerted and steps have been taken to mitigate the flood loss with coordination of police and revenue. 

Responding to a proposal of declaring some mandals as drought-hit due to poor rainfall, he said that the government was looking into it seriously. Hailing high court orders on conduct of local body polls within three months, he said that the government would explore all options for increasing reservation for the Backward Classes in the elections.

- INN

(To Subscribe to INN News & Photo Service for Your Website/Publications...Contact: inn.custcare@gmail.com)