Farmers brace for cyclone after rain relief in Chittoor, Annamayya

Farmers in Chittoor and Annamayya regions breathed a sigh of relief following the recent downpours, which finally ended a long dry spell in the area. The showers have significantly increased soil moisture levels, breathing life into their plans for the upcoming rabi season. However, that optimism is tempered by anxiety due to a brewing system in the Bay of Bengal, leaving farmers worried about potential crop destruction just as things were starting to look up.

Local authorities in Chittoor note that the depression is projected to turn into a full-fledged cyclonic storm by October 26, with the worst of it likely hitting around October 27. While current trajectories suggest the system will make landfall further north toward coastal Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring southern Odisha, how much rain Rayalaseema actually gets will depend on the storm’s exact path and strength. Starting Sunday, isolated spots across both Chittoor and Annamayya are already slated for moderate thunderstorms.

Official rainfall logs suggest that between June 1 and October 22, Chittoor recorded 373.1 mm, compared with its usual 568 mm, a deficit of roughly 34.3 per cent. Annamayya fared even worse, recording just 231.8 mm against a normal 491.4 mm, leaving a steep shortfall of 52.8 per cent. While the latest rounds of rain brought much-needed relief, they have not completely erased months of missing moisture.

Agriculture across the two districts spans a wide mix of crops, including groundnut, paddy, pulses, various vegetables, and pockets of sugarcane. Groundnut remains the lifeline of the region’s rain-fed fields, whereas paddy relies heavily on dedicated irrigation sources. Local mango orchards, the lifeline of the region’s horticulture economy, benefit from improved soil hydration.

A senior official from the Chittoor Agriculture department pointed out that while the current moisture is a game-changer for recharging wells and kick-starting rabi groundnut sowing, too much water can also change the equation quickly. Heavy downpours risk waterlogging low-lying fields, stunting young crops, triggering fungal outbreaks in vegetables, and ruining harvested paddy left out in the open.

“With El Niño still hanging over the region, we need to evaluate mandal-level crop health, planting progress, farm pond storage, and groundwater recovery first. Because of the cyclone warning, we’ve mobilised special response teams to guide farmers in steering clear of waterlogged plots and in moving harvested yields to dry storage,” the official said.

Meanwhile, at Madanapalle in Annamayya district, tomato farmers face similar threats, as lingering dampness invites plant diseases and makes getting crops harvested and hauled to market a logistical headache.

On the other hand, mango producers have been advised to clear out drainage trenches around their orchards.