The prevailing dry spell led to damage of paddy and other crops in many mandals of Vizianagaram district. The farmers who reaped a good yield last year, invested around ₹20,000 per acre in anticipation of a bumper crop this year too.
The paddy crop withered in about 5,600 acres and partially damaged in 10,000 acres.
The total crop area, including that of maize, sugarcane, cotton and other crops, has dropped to 2,80,738 acres against the normal of 3,09,834.
