Shocked Andhra Farmer Dies on Field in Srikakulam After Cyclone Phethai Destroys His Paddy Crops
The incident was reported in Kosamala village of Meliaputti mandal, district revenue officials confirmed, adding that the kin of Chinnarao is not eligible for compensation as he died a 'natural death'.
Vijayavargiya, December 19: In a tragic demise, a farmer in Andhra Pradesh died on field after his paddy crop was destroyed in the unprecedented rains which accompanied Cyclone Phethai on Monday. The deceased, identified as Gottipalli Chinnarao, suffered a heart attack after assessing the damage on his 2-acre land of paddy crops, which were ready to harvest.
The incident was reported in Kosamala village of Meliaputti mandal, district revenue officials confirmed, adding that the kin of Chinnarao is not eligible for compensation as he died a "natural death". Had his death been linked to the cyclone, the state government would had granted an ex-gratia amount to the bereaved family. Cyclone Phethai: 5,602 Farmers Affected, 37 Houses Damaged.
The villagers in Meliaputti, however, demonstrated against the administration which turned down the family's plea for compensation. Considering the tragic nature of the incident, the Revenue department decided to submit a report to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), which would take the final call on compensation.
Due to the cyclonic disturbance, heavy rainfall was witnessed in many parts of Odisha on Monday. Jharsuguda district witnessed the highest rainfall with 76.3 mm average, while nearly 100 blocks all over the state received more than 50 mm rainfall, the official said.
Cyclone Phethai has led to an estimated damage of 60,000 acres of farmland in Andhra Pradesh, the state government has claimed, pegging the total loss at Rs 243 crore. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has appealed the Centre to extend assistance.
The state has witnessed the natural disaster barely two months after Cyclone Titli ravaged coastal districts, destroying the coconut, jackfruit and banana plantations.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 19, 2018 09:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).