Untimely Rains Ravage Telangana Farmers

Unseasonal rains wreaked havoc across several districts of Telangana, leaving farmers in deep distress as paddy and maize stocks stored at procurement centres were soaked in rainwater. Districts including Medak, Sangareddy, Siddipet, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, Karimnagar, Jagtial, Peddapalli and Mahabubnagar witnessed heavy overnight rains, turning market yards and purchase centres into waterlogged zones. Farmers rushed overnight to protect their grain bags, but inadequate tarpaulins and delays in transportation caused severe losses.

Despite the government assuring procurement of rain-soaked grain, farmers staged protests in several places alleging negligence and delay by officials. In Mahabubnagar and Nagarkurnool districts alone, over 600 tonnes of paddy were damaged and shifted to boiled rice mills. Farmers complained that delayed weighment, shortage of lorries and slow procurement processes forced them to wait for weeks at centres, resulting in repeated losses after consecutive rains. Many demanded immediate procurement and compensation for the damage suffered.