■ Corn crops across 2,224 hectares have been damaged

■ Eight deaths due  to lightning strike        

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to disburse compensation to affected farmers by Tuesday evening. Chairing a high-level review meeting at the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister emphasized that every farmer who suffered crop losses must receive timely financial assistance from the state.

"We will come to the rescue of all farmers who suffered due to these rains. Not a single complaint should arise from any farmer about being left out,” he asserted. Officials reported that paddy and corn crops across 2,224 hectares have been damaged, with West Godavari, Nandyal, Kakinada, and Sri Sathya Sai districts among the worst-hit. West Godavari alone reported damage to 1,033 hectares of paddy, followed by Nandyal (641 ha), Kakinada (530 ha), and Sri Sathya Sai (20 ha). Horticulture losses were also shared during the briefing.

The Chief Minister also ordered immediate compensation to the families of those who lost their lives due to lightning strikes. Eight deaths were confirmed, and district collectors were instructed to ensure that no procedural delays occur in extending financial relief to the bereaved families.

“If SMS warnings fail to reach the public, visit homes personally to alert them. Staff in village and ward secretariats must be kept on high alert,” he said, calling for a people-first approach during crises. Naidu also directed that compensation be paid for livestock losses due to lightning as per government norms. He urged district collectors to coordinate closely with ground-level staff to monitor situations in real time.

Blurb: Civil Supplies Special Secretary Saurabh Gaur informed him that out of a Rabi season target of 20 lakh metric tonnes, 13 lakh metric tonnes had already been procured. Additional arrangements would be made to purchase rain-affected grain.

“If grain stocks exceed expectations, I will personally speak to the Central Government to facilitate procurement. Not a single farmer should feel that their produce has gone to waste,” Naidu declared. He announced that advanced weather alerts would be issued in coordination with the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) and its Aware platform.