Unseasonal rains in the last few days in Andhra Pradesh have claimed six lives, besides causing extensive damage to agricultural and horticultural crops in over one lakh acres.
Agriculture Minister P. Pulla Rao told reporters on Monday that two persons each were killed in Kadapa, Kurnool and Anantapur districts and the deaths were mainly caused by thunderbolts.
The government decided to give an ex gratia of Rs. 4 lakh each to the kin of those killed and the district Collectors have been instructed to provide amount immediately.
He said horticultural crops in about 1,600 hectares were damaged in Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool districts according to preliminary estimates.
The exact extent of damage to crops would be known after enumeration was completed.
Mr. Rao, however, said that financial assistance would be provided to farmers where crop loss was more than 33 per cent.
He said Rs.18,000 per hectare would be provided for damage to perennial crops, Rs.6,800 per hectare in rain-fed areas and Rs.13,500 per hectare in assured irrigated areas.
Chief Secretary I.Y.R Krishna Rao held a video conference with Collectors of the affected districts and directed them to extend relief according to the norms fixed during the Hudhud cyclone.
According to initial reports, standing crops harvested in April have been flattened by the rain and strong winds.
Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds also damaged houses and power cables across the State.
