Heavy rains have caused extensive damage to paddy, red gram, maize and chilli crops and produce across Telangana. The rains, which began on Saturday, continued unabated on Sunday and Monday, with weathermen forecasting moderate to heavy rains in the next four days.

Karimnagar and the combined Mahboobngar district are the worst hit, with maize, red gram and paddy destroyed across thousands of acres. Though the officials are yet to compile the loss estimates, initial reports suggest that crop in thousands of acres was damaged.

Thousands of acres of paddy, cotton and maize crop in Khammam, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Warangal, Karimnagar, Jagityal, Vikarabad and Siddhipet districts were also hit.

Agricultural produce kept in the open fields and at some marketyards was also damaged in the heavy downpour. Farmers have blamed the marketing committees at several yards for failing to purchase the produce in time.

Matur village in Nalgonda district registered the highest rainfall of 9.2 mm on Monday, followed by Thummadam (Nalgonda) with 9.12 mm.

Maximum temperatures are expected to be 3-5 degrees below-normal at many places, in the range of 24-27 degrees, while the minimum temperatures are expected be 2-3 degrees below normal at many places. The minimum temperatures will be in the range of 15-18 degrees in the next three days, the weather forecast by the Telangana State Development Society has said.

The untimely heavy rains, however, have helped Rabi crops at several places. According to initial estimates, paddy and groundnut crops in about 40,000 hectares have been benefited by the rains.

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