Hyderabad, Telangana – As the shadow of Cyclone Montha looms large over the Bay of Bengal, the Telangana state machinery has been kicked into high gear. In a high-stakes race against time, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has issued stringent directives to the state’s top officials, prioritising one critical mission: to save the harvested crops from the impending deluge.
The timing of the cyclone couldn’t be more perilous for the state’s farming community. Across Telangana, thousands of farmers have just completed the arduous process of harvesting their Kharif season paddy. Heaps of golden grain, representing months of hard work and investment, currently lie in open fields and at government procurement centres (IKP and PPC centres), dangerously exposed to the elements.
CM Chairs Emergency Meeting Amid Cyclone Threat
Recognising the immense threat, CM Revanth Reddy chaired an emergency review meeting on Tuesday with the Chief Secretary, District Collectors, and heads of the Agriculture and Disaster Management departments. Sources from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed that the CM expressed grave concern over the potential for massive agricultural losses if swift, preventive action is not taken.
“Every single grain harvested by our farmers is precious. We cannot allow their hard work to be washed away,” the Chief Minister reportedly told the officials. “Mobilise every available resource. This is not a time for bureaucratic delays.”
A Four-Point Directive to Safeguard Crops
The core of the directive focuses on a multi-pronged strategy to prevent losses to the harvested paddy:
- Immediate Shifting of Produce: District Collectors have been ordered to work on a war footing to shift the harvested paddy from open yards to secure, covered locations. This includes utilising government godowns, warehouses, and even temporarily converting unused schools, community halls, and Rythu Vedikas into storage facilities.
- Distribution of Tarpaulins: For produce that cannot be moved immediately, officials have been instructed to ensure the widespread and rapid distribution of high-quality tarpaulin sheets to cover the paddy heaps, protecting them from direct rainfall.
- 24/7 Control Rooms: Special control rooms are being established at the district and mandal levels to coordinate efforts, monitor the situation, and provide farmers with real-time updates and assistance.
- Farmer Communication: The Agriculture Department has been tasked with using all channels, including SMS alerts and local announcements, to warn farmers about the impending rains and guide them on protective measures.
Beyond Paddy: Cotton and Maize Also at Risk
The threat isn’t limited to paddy. Standing crops of cotton, which are highly susceptible to damage from waterlogging and high-velocity winds, and late-sown maize are also at significant risk. The CM has directed the Agriculture Department to issue specific advisories for these crops as well.
Speaking to NextMinuteNews, P. Srinivas Rao, a senior official in the Agriculture Department, stated, “Our teams are on the ground, coordinating with market committees and farmer groups. The next 48 hours are absolutely critical. We are aiming for minimal to zero loss of harvested produce.”
A Race Against Time for Officials and Farmers
For the farmers, this is a period of high anxiety. “We have invested everything into this crop,” said Anjaiah, a farmer from Nalgonda district, as he rushed to cover his paddy stack. “These unseasonal rains caused by cyclones are our biggest fear after the harvest. We are hopeful that the government’s help will reach us in time.”
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts of Telangana as Cyclone Montha makes its presence felt. While the state is bracing for the storm’s broader impact, the government’s sharp focus on protecting the harvest underscores its commitment to safeguarding the backbone of the state’s economy – its farmers. The effectiveness of these directives on the ground will determine whether Telangana’s fields of gold weather the storm or succumb to its fury.
